California-based Menlo Micro has debuted what it called the “most robust” semiconductor switch for aerospace and defense systems.
The MM5130-NLX is engineered to withstand radio-frequency (RF) pulses up to 500 watts, protecting critical front-end systems like missiles, drones, and datalinks from damaging high-power signals.
Leveraging the company’s Ideal Switch tech, the device can toggle between mechanical and semiconductor switching to enable high power handling and low operational loss in one device.
A key design feature is its tiny physical gap, which fully isolates the circuit when off, preventing harmful signals from reaching sensitive receivers in electronic warfare and datalink systems.
“No other semiconductor switch currently available can tolerate such intense power levels, nor can any competing technology deliver the same combination of low loss, wideband performance,” said Mark Walker, Vice President of Product Business Unit at Menlo.
“The MM5130-NLX sets a new benchmark for protecting critical RF systems in extreme conditions.”
Clean Switches
The switch’s wideband performance allows it to handle a broad range of frequencies without signal loss or distortion.
Its design keeps signals clean and properly isolated, preventing leakage into unwanted channels.
“This versatility is essential in modern RF systems, which increasingly span multiple frequencies and require a single device capable of handling evolving performance demands,” the company stated.
The MM5130-NLX was showcased at the 62nd Annual Association of Old Crows International Symposium and Convention in Maryland.
