Integrated <i>W</i>-Band Photoconductive Switches in SIW Technology

A novel approach for the design of millimeterwave (mmWave) substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) switches is presented. The switch based on controllable photoconductive elements (PEs), whose conductivity modulated by a light source. PE integrated top SIW metal plate and provides either short-circuit or transmission operation regime, depending actuation conditions. Due to actuation, mmWave dc control circuitry are naturally decoupled, which, in turn, makes low-loss compact as compared p-i-n diode circuit-based implementations. We demonstrate two examples (PSs) at W-band: single-pole single-throw (SPST) double-throw (SPDT) PSs. Their principle, parasitic radiation suppression discussed. Measurements show peak insertion loss 0.9 2.2 dB, isolation better than 25 30 -10 dB impedance bandwidth 21% 15% SPST SPDT PSs, respectively.