High-Isolation Tunable MEMS Capacitive Switch
Tech ID: 18864 / UC Case 2003-361-0
Background
For a typical MEMS switch, the resonant frequency is around 20 to 30 GHz which can not be employed by commercial wireless systems operating at a frequency band of 2 to 8 GHz. This resonant frequency can be tuned by changing the inductance of the switch membrane. When inductance is increased, the resonant frequency is moved to a lower frequency band at which location, high isolation is achieved. There have been many published solutions to this problem but it has been found to be difficult to further lower the resonant frequency to C-band levels due to the unrealistically large inductance required.
Technology Description
University researchers have developed a high isolation switch capable of obtaining C-band frequencies, without the need for changes in current process, and with minimum modifications is current switch designs.
Applications
The design is useful for smart antenna systems, variable capacitors, on-chip inductors, tunable filters, and tunable RF matching circuits.
Patent Status
| Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 8,074,346 | 12/13/2011 | 2003-361 |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 7,541,898 | 06/02/2009 | 2003-361 |
| United States Of America | Issued Patent | 7,265,647 | 09/04/2007 | 2003-361 |
Other Information
Related cases
2003-361-0
Keywords
MEMS, Capacitive switch
Contact
Doug Crawford / doug.crawford@uci.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #18864.