Menlo Microsystems, Inc. announced the introduction of the groundbreaking MM5130-NLX switch, specifically engineered for aerospace and defense (A&D) applications that demand high-standoff RF front-end protection. This innovative switch will be on display at Booth #443 during the 62nd Annual Association of Old Crows (AOC) International Symposium & Convention in National Harbor, MD, on Tuesday, December 9.
Capable of withstanding RF pulsed power levels of up to 500 W, the MM5130-NLX sets a new standard for durability and operational excellence, leveraging Menlo’s renowned Ideal Switch technology. This chip-scale device safeguards RF front-end systems in various applications such as missiles, drones, electronic warfare, communication networks, and high-performance datalinks, offering unparalleled isolation, wideband operation, and low loss that is unparalleled in the market.
The term “high standoff” refers to the switch’s ability to endure and block extremely high RF power or voltage, isolating electronics from harmful interference signals. This feature is crucial in RF systems where switches must withstand significant incoming signals, even when switched off, without energy leakage or risk of damage to the system. Unlike conventional semiconductor switches that may fail under extreme stress, the Ideal Switch is designed to protect RF front-end systems effectively while maintaining peak performance.
At the core of the MM5130-NLX’s design is a physical micro-scale air gap with exceptional isolation, ensuring true circuit isolation and minimal unintended signal pass-through when switched off. This feature protects sensitive receivers in high-frequency, wideband environments like ISR, electronic warfare, or datalinks.
Moreover, the switch’s ohmic contacts on a fully insulating substrate provide wideband capability, allowing seamless operation across a broad frequency range from hundreds of megahertz to tens of gigahertz, with minimal loss or distortion. This versatility is essential in modern RF systems that span multiple frequencies and require a single device to meet evolving performance demands.
Also featured at Menlo’s booth at AOC is Mini-Circuits’ MEM-SP4T-A18, a result of collaboration with RF and microwave specialist Mini-Circuits. The MEM-SP4T-A18, an absorptive SP4T switch powered by Menlo’s Ideal Switch technology, offers low insertion loss and exceptional linearity across billions of switching operations, demonstrating the scalability and reliability of Menlo solutions.
Several of Menlo’s A&D customers will also showcase related technologies at AOC, highlighting the innovation, momentum, and increasing adoption of Menlo’s switches in the aerospace and defense market.
Filed Under: Active Components, Development tool, Military, RF, switches, Tools
