RF Switching Element Implemented on a Flexible Membrane

This paper summarizes the realization of a radiofrequency bistable switching element implemented on a flexible membrane. This switch has the advantage of consuming no power in its stable states. A magnetic actuation is used to go from one state to the other, using a small current (<10 mA) applied during few milliseconds. A thin slat having of high permeability material is bonded on a polyimide layer. Part of this layer is forced to move by a nearby coil generating a DC magnetic field. This device has potential for use in many different applications requiring reconfigurable antennas and transmission lines. A modified CPW inductively coupled slot antenna has been studied with the implementation of those switches and showed the feasibility of such realization.