A Single-Pole-Triple-Throw (SP3T) MEMS RF switch for 24 GHz short range radar

The design of a MEMS continuous ground Single-Pole-Triple-Throw (SP3T) RF switch that can be used in a microscale 24 GHz short range radar (SRR) system for automotive pre-crash warning application has been presented. The SP3T RF MEMS switch incorporates 1 input port and 3 output ports. The design is based on electrostatically actuated cantilever beams and unlike other designs, uses a continuous ground that eliminate the effects of coupling capacitance between the ports and the ground. The HFSS^TM simulation results show that at 24 GHz, the switch exhibits a return loss of 20.47 dB, insertion loss of 0.15 dB and an isolation of 29.7 dB among the ON and OFF ports. The actuation voltage of the switch is 14 volts.