Study and Design of Reconfigurable Wireless and Radio- Frequency Components Based on RF MEMS for Low-Power Applications

Abstract

This chapter intends to deal with the challenging field of communication systems known as reconfigurable radio-frequency systems. Mainly, it will present and analyze the design of different reconfigurable components based on radio-frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) for different applications. This chapter will start with the description of the attractive properties that RF MEMS structures offer, giving flexibility in the RF systems design, and how these properties may be used for the design of reconfigurable RF MEMS-based devices. Then, the chapter will discuss the design, modeling, and simulation of reconfigurable components based on both theoretical modeling and well-known electromagnetic computing tools such as ADS, CST-MWS, and HFSS to evaluate the performance of such devices. Finally, the chapter will deal with the design and performance assessment of RF MEMS-based devices. Non-radiating devices, such as phase shifter and resonators, which are very important components in the hardware RF boards, will be addressed. Also, three types of frequency reconfigurable antennas, for the three different applications (radar, satellite, and wireless communication), will be proposed and evaluated. From this study, based on theoretical design and electromagnetic computing evaluation, it has been shown that RF MEMS-based devices can be an enabling solution in the design of the multiband reconfigurable radio-frequency devices.

Modelling, design and fabrication of a novel reconfigurable ultra‐wide‐band impedance matching based on RF MEMS technology

“…The proposed device displays good impedance coverage in the mentioned frequency band, with consecutive S 11 below −13 dB in the frequency band [1,6] GHz. These results demonstrate the response ability of the proposed RF-MEMS technology device over a wide frequency range.…”

“…The tuneable impedance based on CPW transmission lines, the characteristic impedance (Z C ), and the effective permittivity (ɛ eff ) are analysed in [6] and expressed by (2), (3), and (4) [8]:…”

“…The input impedance ( Z in ) is given by (2), where Z 1 , Z 2 , and Z 3 are the impedances of CPW lines, and Z b is the impedance of the bridge (Fig. 1): The tuneable impedance based on CPW transmission lines, the characteristic impedance ( Z C ), and the effective permittivity ( ɛ eff ) are analysed in [6] and expressed by (2), (3), and (4) [8]: …”

“…RF MEMS switches can be used in various domains: wireless communication, space, defence, or security applications [5]. RF MEMS electrostatic actuators have been widely used in microwave communication system applications [6]. A majority of RF MEMS are operated through electrostatic force.…”

Design and optimisation of a novel structure capacitive RF MEMS switch to integrate with an antenna to improve its performance parameters

“…Passive devices are those do not contain the mechanical drive and are bound to be static without any movement, whereas active devices contain the parts having mechanical movement driven by different actuation methods, which are fabricated by using Micromachining technology [4]. Among these devices, RF MEMS switches are exceptionally used in defence and space applications due to low power consumption, high isolation and low insertion losses [5,6]. In addition, these switches can be directly integrated with the RF sub-modules to achieve reconfigurability in their degree of functionality and characteristics [7].…”