Farnell is now shipping the new high-power SPDT (Single-Pole Double-Throw) RF antenna switch from Toshiba.

The SPDT RF (TCWA1225G) switch is crucial for the expansion of 5G networks. This is because the expansion requires antennas that are increasingly composed of complex signal transmission paths, which need RF switching with low insertion loss and high input power, but in a compact package.

In response, the SPDT RF offers an input peak power of 46 dBm (at 8dB PAR) in a very small footprint. This means that while antenna size can be maintained or even reduced, power output can remain consistent.

Toshiba's SPDT RF switch was designed and produced in response to the increased adoption of massive MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology in telecommunications base stations. Massive MIMO uses multiple transmit and receive antennas to provide ultra-high-speed and ultra-large-capacity radio communications services essential for 5G.

Individual antennas are also increasingly composed of super-multi-element antennas and complex signal transmission paths. Traditionally, RF switching is generally used for switching between these complex transmission paths. However, the RF switch must have low insertion loss, high input power, and a small enough size so that the number of RF switches and the size of antennas would not increase due to space limitations. The SPDT RF switch resolves both of those limitations.

Jose Lok, Farnell Product Category Director, Semiconductors, said, "This switch is a major accelerator for 5G, and it's essential that it's widely and readily available to fulfill the promise of 5G networks. We are delighted to work with Toshiba to ensure this space and cost-saving device delivers its full potential in ensuring 5G implementation."

The SPDT RF switch from Toshiba is now available and shipping from Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America, and element14 in APAC.