Patent ID: 8405936
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. Apparatus, comprising: a power diverter having, a first terminal for interposition between a signal input and a signal output; a MEMS switch coupled to the first terminal, the MEMS switch having a MEMS switch control input; a MEMS protection switch coupled to the MEMS switch, the MEMS protection switch having a protection switch control input; wherein the MEMS switch control input and the protection switch control input are configured to receive control signals for selectively placing the power diverter in i) an ON state in which signal power at the signal input is diverted from the signal output via the MEMS switch and the MEMS protection switch, ii) an OFF state in which signal power at the signal input is not diverted from the signal output, and in which the MEMS switch mitigates an insertion loss and distortion imparted by the MEMS protection switch to a signal path between the signal input and the signal output, and iii) an intermediary state in which the MEMS protection switch reduces current flow through the MEMS switch; and a control system, the control system configured to send control signals to the MEMS switch control input and the protection switch control input, the control signals: maintaining the MEMS switch and the MEMS protection switch in open states during the OFF state of the power diverter; transitioning the power diverter from the OFF state to the ON state by i) closing the MEMS switch, and then ii) closing the MEMS protection switch; and transitioning the power diverter from the ON state to the OFF state by i) opening the MEMS protection switch, then ii) opening the MEMS switch.