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RF Switches DC PASS Characteristics: ADG919 BCPZ Voltage and Current Handling

With many of the RF Switches that specify DC-2Ghz (or DC-___Ghz range) I am having difficulty understanding how MUCH DC they can pass from port to port.  Can these switches pass 6VDC with 120mA of current?  I am trying to use the RF SPDT switches to control the DC biasing for RF amps that need to be toggled on and off, while passing broadband RF, but will isolate the DC and RF when the switch to the 'ACTIVE' port is turned off, just shunting the RF to a termination with a capacitor blocking the DC.

  • Hi Mavenx,

    Unfortunately ADG919 can only able to pass 0.5V DC only. I want to recommend ADGM1304 or ADGM1004 to serve your purpose. ADGM1304 and ADGM1004 are SP4T MEMS switches operational from 0Hz/DC to 14GHz and 13GHz respectively. The main difference between the two MEMS switches is ADGM1004 has higher ESD rating than ADGM1304. ADGM1004 has 5kV HBM ESD rating on RF pins and 2.5kV HBM ESD rating on rest other pins. Both of these switches are specified to pass +/-6V DC and 220mA of current. While using the MEMS switches please make sure to use the 10M ohm resistors to GND on all RF pins to avoid any floating nodes.

    Please let me know if you have any further queries and also can you please share the schematic of your design for better understanding.

  • Thanks you for your response.  As I look deeper into the components you recommended, I will be sure to reach out if I have further questions.  Thanks again and have a great weekend.  Cheers!

  • Moved out of RF & Microwave and into to the switches forum