In order to change the properties of a multifunctional reconfigurable antenna (MRA), the current distribution over the volume of the antenna must be changed. The geometry of the antenna can be changed by switching on and off various geometrical metallic segments that compose the MRA. For switching, microelectromechanical system (MEMS), nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS), or semiconductor switches can be used. MEMS and NEMS switches are more advantageous than semiconductor switches due to the monolithic integration capability with antenna segments; however, standard MEMS switches require high actuation voltages (30-80 V) and have low switching speeds (10-20 ms), which may not be appropriate for next-generation cognitive wireless communications applications. In order to address this issue, the project reported in this article developed a double-arm DC-contact, small-size MEMS switch that is about 10-100 times smaller in lateral dimensions than a standard MEMS switch. This switch showed actuation voltages lower than 10 V. The full-wave analyses of a frequency reconfigurable antenna integrated with NEMS switches are reported. This is followed by a description of the full-wave analyses of a frequency reconfigurable antenna integrated with NEMS switches. This antenna - NEMS integrated penta-band PIFA - can operate over the following five frequency bands: GSM900, GPS1575,GSM1800, PCS1900, and UMTS2100. 7 figures and 10 references
Nanoelectromechanical Switches for Reconfigurable Antenna Applications
NCJ Number
249138
Journal
Microwave and Optical Technology Letters Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 64-69
Date Published
January 2010
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the full-wave analyses of a frequency reconfigurable antenna integrated with metallic nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) switches (length = 3 mm, width = 60 nm).
Abstract