Microsecond ferrite microwave switch

A novel ferrite structure in rectangular waveguide utilizing a new mode conversion technique has been highly successful as an on-off microwave ferrite switch. The unit provides 25 db of pulsed attenuation with only 0.5 db insertion loss. The VSWR is less than 1.15 and the RF rise and fall times are less than 1/10 microsecond. Less than 30 ampere turns of magnetomotive force are required to drive the unit from a small compact low voltage driving circuit. Theory, general design consideration, developmental problems, optimization procedures and component characteristics will be discussed.