MEMS based reconfigurable dual band antenna

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, a novel MEMS technology based reconfigurable dual band monopole antenna implementing RF‐MEMS switch is proposed for satellite communications applications. The prototyped Dual band antenna is designed, fabricated, and tested. The proposed antenna is fabricated on Quartz and high receptivity silicon (HRS) using an ideal MEMS switch. The antenna structure consists of two elements—one element couples weakly to other element in OFF state while in ON state it couples strongly. This electromagnetic coupling, through a MEMS switch, gives rise to reconfigurable dual band antenna. The measured VSWR < 2 at 3.7–4.2 GHz frequency band when the switch is OFF, while in the ON state's VSWR < 2 at 5.9–6.4 GHz frequency band. The measured VSWR and radiation patterns indicate the suitability of this antenna for satellite applications. The fabricated switch exhibits an isolation of more than 40 dB while its insertion loss is <0.3 dB in the frequency range of interest. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1570–1575, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23426