RF MEMS Sequentially Reconfigurable Sierpinski Antenna on a Flexible Organic Substrate With Novel DC-Biasing Technique

• Published in: Journal of microelectromechanical systems Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. 1185 - 1192
• Main Authors: Kingsley, N., Anagnostou, D.E., Tentzeris, M., Papapolymerou, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.10.2007; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Actuation; Antennas; Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Dynamical systems; Dynamics; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electronics; Electrostatics; Exact sciences and technology; Feeds; Fractal analysis; Fractal antennas; Frequency; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Liquid crystal polymer (LCP); Liquid crystal polymers; Mechanical instruments, equipment and techniques; Microelectromechanical systems; Micromechanical devices and systems; Microswitches; Microwave circuits, microwave integrated circuits, microwave transmission lines, submillimeter wave circuits; multiband; Physics; Radio frequencies; Radiofrequency microelectromechanical systems; reconfigurable antenna; RF microelectromechanical systems(RF MEMS); Sierpinski fractal antenna; Switches; Topology; Voltage; GHz range; Liquid crystal polymer (LCP); Sierpinski fractal antenna; reconfigurable antenna; Capacitive transducer; RF microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS); Topology; Experimental study; Electrostatic devices; Fractal; Liquid crystal polymers; Microwave circuit; Selector switch; multiband; Electrostatic actuators; Switching system; Microelectromechanical device; Electrostatic force
• ISSN: 1057-7157; 1941-0158
• DOI: 10.1109/JMEMS.2007.902462

Devices and systems that use RF microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) switching elements typically use one switch topology. The switch is designed to meet all of the performance criteria. However, this can be limiting for highly dynamic applications that require a great deal of reconfigurability. In this paper, three sets of RF MEMS switches with different actuation voltages are used to sequentially activate and deactivate parts of a multiband Sierpinski fractal antenna. The implementation of such a concept allows for direct actuation of the electrostatic MEMS switches through the RF signal feed, therefore eliminating the need for individual switch dc bias lines. This reconfigurable antenna was fabricated on liquid crystal polymer substrate and operates at several different frequencies between 2.4 and 18 GHz while maintaining its radiation characteristics. It is the first integrated RF MEMS reconfigurable antenna on a flexible organic polymer substrate for multiband antenna applications. Simulation and measurement results are presented in this paper to validate the proposed concept.[2007-0013]