Integrated DC bias line RF MEMS switch for reconfiguring the patch-slot antenna: Simulations and measurements

Abstract

The patch antenna with switchable slot (PASS) can realize the versatile diversities such as frequency and polarization reconfigurability with single slot and an RF switch [1]-[2]. Among many RF switches, packaged RF MEMS switch is becoming attractive for the reconfigurable radiating structure due to its low insertion loss and availability [3]. On the other hand, implementation of RF MEMS switch could become complicated for particular structure like slot-loaded patch antenna which has an embedded slot structure. To overcome this problem, the floating dc ground [4] has been utilized for actuating RF MEMS switch placed on the slot without dc bias line [5]. The floating ground is simple and efficient circuitries to implement the RF MEMS slot-loaded structure. However, the integration of this structure may become difficult. The alternative way is to integrate the dc bias line with RF MEMS switch to actuate MEMS switch placed on the slot. By integrating the dc bias line, the design accommodates the “monolithic integration” of the antenna in a layer and easy access of the dc potential to the MEMS placed on the slot. In this paper, a novel reconfigurable patch-slot antenna design is realized with RF MEMS switch and integrated bias line.