Criterion for a Switching Device as a Basis of Microwave Switchable and Tunable Components

An unifi-ed way to characterize a two-state one-port switching device is discussed. A criterion for characterization of a switching device called Commutation Quality Factor (CQF) is introduced. It can be applied to different types of switching devices (semiconductor, ferroelectric, superconductor etc.) and used for a design of two-state components with optimum characteristics. A simple formula is derived for calculation of the CQF. The invariance of the CQF with respect to lossless reciprocal transformation is shown. The applicability of the CQF does not depend on the physical nature of the device. The CQF is a working tool for a selection of switching devices while designing electronically controlled microwave components and subsystems.