Title :
MEMS-switched reconfigurable antennas
Author :
Weedon, W.H. ; Payne, W.J. ; Rebeiz, G.M.
Author_Institution :
Appl. Radar Inc, Warwick, RI, USA
Abstract :
The integration and use of RF MEMS switches in microstrip patch antennas and feed structures were investigated for developing reconfigurable multi-band antennas. The current application focuses on the development of a dual L/X-band antenna that would support several satellite or UAV-based communications and radar applications such as SAR, terrain mapping, GMTI, AMTI, etc. A reconfigurable patch module (RPM) was designed and fabricated consisting of a 3/spl times/3 array of patches connected together using MEMS switches (we simulated MEMS switches with ideal OPEN/CLOSED switches). This RPM could be used as a basic element in a tile/conformal architecture. Stripline power dividers and blind via transitions were developed to demonstrate feed structures that could be located below the radiating aperture.
Keywords :
UHF antennas; antenna feeds; micromechanical devices; microstrip antenna arrays; microwave switches; multifrequency antennas; power dividers; radar antennas; satellite communication; RF MEMS switches; UAV-based communications; blind via transitions; dual L/X-band antenna; feed structures; microstrip patch antennas; multi band antennas; patch array; radar applications; reconfigurable antennas; reconfigurable patch module; satellite communications; stripline power dividers; Antenna feeds; Artificial satellites; Communication switching; Microstrip antennas; Microswitches; Patch antennas; Radar antennas; Radiofrequency microelectromechanical systems; Satellite antennas; Switches;
Conference_Titel :
Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium, 2001. IEEE
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7070-8
DOI :
10.1109/APS.2001.960181
