Frequency Reconfigurable RF MEMS for Ka Band Applications

Volume 8 Issue 2 December - February 2018

Research Paper

Frequency Reconfigurable RF MEMS for Ka Band Applications

Koushik Basak*, R.K. Bahl**, Dhaval Pujara***

Scientist, Optical Communication Division (OCD), SNPA, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad, India.

Professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India.

Basak. K., Bahl. R. K and Pujara.D (2018). Frequency Reconfigurable RF Mems for Ka Band Applications. i-manager's Journal on Electronics Engineering, 8(2), 6-11. https://doi.org/10.26634/jele.8.2.14134

Abstract

This paper presents design of a microstrip patch antenna with cantilever type Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) switch to achieve reconfigurability. The primary and secondary radiators are connected by a cantilever MEMS switch. Normally, the MEMS switches are fabricated over high resistive materials whereas planar radiator is designed on low dielectric substrate. Lateral etching based micromachining of Silicon (Si) substrate is proposed in the design to enhance its performance by accommodating a MEMS switch on it. In order to visualize the effect of bandwidth (BW) with respect to the depth of etching, a parametric study was carried out. The simulation results validate the reconfigurability of the design by observing shifts in resonance frequency of 600 MHz by changing the state of MEMS switch.