Abstract: A 3D microwave switch having a plurality of waveguide transmission lines configured in a polyhedron and with I/O microwave ports at the corners. An actuator selectively moves respective reeds in the waveguide transmission lines between a signal-attenuating position abutting the interior surface of the waveguide transmission line and a signal-conducting position substantially coaxial with the waveguide transmission line and abutting the signal lines of the I/O microwave ports coupled to opposite ends of the waveguide transmission line. Preferably, the transmission lines and ports are formed in a tetrahedral-shaped conductive cavity with a single 4-pole magnet at its center for actuating the reeds or in an octahedral-shape with different actuators for each reed.

Abstract: Microwave switches are shown which can route signals in an operating frequency band along selectable signal paths between a plurality of microwave ports. The switches are especially suited for forming switching systems that can substitute redundant components for failed components. In one embodiment, waveguide transmission lines and microwave ports are serially coupled in a closed loop with other waveguide transmission lines arranged transversely across the loop. In another embodiment, waveguide modules are formed of three waveguides coupled to a microwave port and the waveguide modules are serially arranged. In each waveguide of these embodiments, conductive reeds are movable between a signal-attenuating position abutting the interior surface of the waveguide and a signal-conducting position substantially coaxial with the waveguide and coupled to the microwave ports at each waveguide end.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for a microwave switch, including, a stationary armature formed by a core positioned along a particular axis and with a coil wound around the core to form at least one electromagnet and with the polarity at the end of the core in accordance with the direction of current flow through the coil upon the application of electrical energy to the coil, a rotor positioned adjacent to one end of the core and with the rotor supported for rotation in a plane perpendicular to the particular axis of the core, the rotor including a plurality of spaced permanent magnets located axially relative to the one end of the core and with the application of electrical energy to the coil providing axial excitation to produce magnetic interaction between the permanent magnets and the core and provide rotary travel of the rotor in one of two opposite directions in accordance with the direction of current flow through the coil, and a stop located in the path of rotation of the rotor to engage a portion of the rotor to