Theory of TEM diode switching

Recently experimental work has been performed in diode switching in TEM-wave transmission lines with a measure of success but with a minimum of theoretical investigation. In this paper theory is presented which explains: the three basic modes of diode switching, one of which is heretofore unreported; the isolation and insertion loss bandwidths; the spacing for and isolation from multiple diode switching elements; the bandwidth of the biasing lead; and the peak and average incident power that a diode can switch. It is concluded that a switch can be made having a 100-to-1 bandwidth and giving isolation greater than 20 db with insertion loss less than 1 db from 40 Mc to 4 Gc.