RF MEMS and GaAs Based Reconfigurable RF Front-End Components for Wide-Band Multi-Functional Phased Arrays

Abstract

We study possibilities of implementing flexible and programmable components for the RF front-ends of wideband multi-functional phased arrays using GaAs MMIC and RF MEMS technologies. The use of MEMS reconfigurable matching networks in tunable bandpass LNAs is proposed to achieve wider tuning ranges (e.g. 6.5-9.9GHz is obtained according to simulations) and adequate performance of such LNAs. We further demonstrate the potential for monolithic integration with active devices by showing how variable MEMS capacitors may be realized in a GaAs foundry process.

RF MEMS based impedance matching networks for tunable multi-band microwave low noise amplifiers

“…Frequency-agile front-end architectures realised using RF Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) is an enabling technology proposed to achieve those highly attractive benefits [1][2]. Reconfigurable MEMS matching networks could be utilized to implement tunable (multi-band) RF components such as LNAs, PAs and filters etc [3][4][5][6] that can be commercially very attractive since such devices could be useful for different frequency bands and applications. For example, today's wireless RF systems for point-to-point communication can operate at many different frequencies (sub-bands) within the 5 to 40 GHz range.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, the tunable LNAs using MEMS matching networks that have been reported so far aim at frequencies up to 10 GHz (see e.g. [5][6]). In this paper, we will investigate possibilities of implementing such LNAs also for frequencies and applications at 20 GHz and above.…”

MEMS-4-MMIC: Advances in combined GaAs MEMS-MMIC technology

“…This makes them especially suitable as components for agile/phased array frontend technology such as low-loss and reconfigurable matching networks for tuneable (multi-band) LNAs for pointto-point wireless communication systems like radio links operating in the 5-40 GHz frequency range, and low-loss phase shifters for frontend architectures employing electronic beam steering (see also Fig. 1) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Reconfigurable amplifier towards enhanced selectivity of future multi-band mobile terminals

“…However, simply adding a large number of RF frontends is not acceptable from the size viewpoint. There have been studies on various ways of achieving multi-band or broadband circuits that comprise a multi-band front-end [2]- [5].…”