RF-MEMS Capacitive Switches Fabricated Using Printed Circuit Processing Techniques

Abstract

This paper presents radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF-MEMS) capacitive switches fabricated using printed circuit processing techniques. The key feature of this approach is the use of most commonly used flexible circuit film, Kapton E polyimide film, as the movable switch membrane. The physical dimensions of these switches are in the mesoscale range. For example, electrode area of a typical capacitive shunt switch on coplanar waveguide (CPW) is 2 mmtimes1 mm, respectively. A CPW shunt switch with insertion loss 10 dB in the frequency range of 8 to 30 GHz is reported. K-band, Ku-band, and X-band high-isolation CPW shunt switches designed by inductive compensation of the switch down-position capacitance are also presented. Inductance compensation has been implemented by introducing inductive step-in-width junctions in the MEMS switch electrode. The K-band switch provides a maximum isolation value of 54 dB at 18 GHz. For the K-band switch, the insertion loss is less than 0.3-0.4 dB in the frequency range of 1-30 GHz and the isolation values are better than 20 dB in the frequency range of 12 to 30 GHz. The Ku-band switch provides a maximum isolation of 46 dB at 16.5 GHz. For the Ku-band switch, the insertion loss is less than 0.4-0.45 dB in the frequency range of 1-30 GHz and the isolation is greater than 20 dB in the frequency range of 12 to 22 GHz. The X-band switch provides a maximum isolation value of 32 dB at 10.6 GHz. The insertion loss is less than 0.25-0.3 dB in the frequency range of 1-18 GHz and the isolation is better than 20 dB in the frequency range of 8.5 to 13.5 GHz for the X-band switch. The measured typical pull-down voltage is in the range of 100-120 for this type of switches. These switches are uniquely suitable for monolithic integration with printed circuits and antennas on organic laminate substrates