What is "Ideal Switch®" technology, which combines the advantages of electromagnetic relays and semiconductor switches?

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Background of the development of MEMS switch technology

Switches are essential components used in electronic devices, communication equipment, and measuring instruments for switching signals and power. For many years, electromagnetic relays and semiconductor switches have been the primary types used. Electromagnetic relays offer low-loss conductivity and high isolation performance due to their metal contacts, enabling control of high-frequency signals and high power. However, their mechanical moving parts limit their miniaturization, high-speed operation, and lifespan. Semiconductor switches, on the other hand, offer miniaturization, high-speed operation, and high mass production capabilities, but they present challenges such as losses during conduction, heat generation, and leakage current when switched off. In particular, insertion loss and linearity can affect system performance in high-frequency applications.

Thus, each conventional switch technology had its own distinct strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, the industry has sought a new switch technology that combines the low loss and high isolation performance of electromagnetic relays with the miniaturization, high-speed operation, and high reliability of semiconductor switches. One technology that has attracted attention against this backdrop is the MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) switch. MEMS switches have been developed as a technology that realizes mechanical switch mechanisms using semiconductor processes through the use of microfabrication technology.

What is Menlo Microsystems' Ideal Switch®?

Ideal Switch® is a proprietary MEMS switch technology developed by Menlo Microsystems. It was developed with the aim of combining the low loss, high isolation, and high power capabilities of conventional electromagnetic relays with the miniaturization, high-speed operation, and high reliability of semiconductor switches. To solve the trade-off between performance and packaging that had been a challenge in switch technology for many years, Menlo Microsystems developed its unique Ideal Switch® by utilizing the materials technology and MEMS technology cultivated at GE Research.

Ideal Switch® creates a low-resistance conductive path through metal contacts in the ON state and achieves high insulation performance through an air gap in the OFF state. Furthermore, microfabrication technology utilizing semiconductor processes enables miniaturization, high-speed operation, and high repeatability simultaneously. This technology is driving product development for a wide range of applications, including communication infrastructure, test and measurement, defense and aerospace, semiconductor testing, quantum computing, and power control.

Core technologies supporting Ideal Switch®

Ideal Switch® achieves low loss, high linearity, and high reliability—qualities difficult to achieve simultaneously with conventional switch technologies—by combining a unique MEMS structure with glass substrate technology. This section introduces the key technologies that underpin Ideal Switch®.

Special beam structure and glass substrate technology

Ideal Switch® employs a unique beam structure, metal contacts, and a glass substrate. This combination achieves low insertion loss, high linearity, high power capability, and long lifespan. The use of a glass substrate also contributes to improved RF characteristics.

Through-Glass Via (TGV) technology

Ideal Switch® employs Through-Glass Via (TGV) technology, which penetrates the glass substrate. This reduces parasitic components, resulting in superior high-frequency characteristics and contributing to the high signal quality required in RF applications.

Scalable Unit Cell Structure

Ideal Switch® is based on a 50µm x 50µm unit cell structure and can be expanded as a 2D array depending on the application. This allows for product design tailored to requirements such as voltage, current, power, and frequency, and provides flexible support for diverse switch configurations.

Features realized by Ideal Switch®

Ideal Switch® leverages the strengths of both conventional electromagnetic relays and semiconductor switches to achieve high RF performance and reliability.

■ Low insertion loss and high isolation
The switch structure, utilizing metal contacts, achieves low insertion loss and high isolation performance. Because it minimizes the impact on signal quality, it is also suitable for high-frequency applications.

■ High linearity and high power output compatible
It boasts excellent linearity and is compatible with high-power RF systems. It is suitable for applications requiring high RF performance, such as communication infrastructure and test and measurement equipment.

■ Long lifespan and high reliability
By employing a hermetically sealed MEMS structure, high reliability and long lifespan are achieved. Some products can withstand over 3 billion switching cycles.

■ Miniaturization and high-speed switching
By utilizing MEMS technology and semiconductor processes, we achieve both small packaging and high-speed switching. This also contributes to space savings in equipment and improved system efficiency.

Ideal Switch® Application Areas

Ideal Switch® leverages its features of low loss, high linearity, high reliability, and miniaturization to be used in a wide range of switch products. Based on this technology, Menlo Microsystems offers a broad product range ranging from high-frequency signal control to power control.

■ RF switch
These RF switches are used in communication infrastructure, testing and measurement, and defense and aerospace fields. Leveraging their features such as low insertion loss, high isolation, and high linearity, they enable switching and routing of high-frequency signals.

■ High-Speed Loopback Switch
It is also used in products for semiconductor testing and evaluation of high-speed digital interfaces. It enables efficient testing through high-speed switching in high-speed signal environments such as PCIe and SerDes.

■ Cryogenic / Quantum Switch
It is also applied to switch products for quantum computing and cryogenic environments. Due to its extremely low power consumption and minimal thermal impact, it is used in the configuration of qubit control and measurement systems.

■ Power Relay
Ideal Switch® technology is being deployed not only in high-frequency applications but also in the power control field. As an alternative to conventional electromagnetic relays and solid-state relays, it is being increasingly applied to power control applications in smart grids and industrial equipment.

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