volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

A novel multi-state RF MEMS switch for microstrip antenna applications is presented. The proposed switch exhibits seven different states of operation, has a very simple DC biasing mechanism and can be integrated with antenna structure. Based on these properties, this switch may find its usage in multifunction reconfigurable antennas. To exhibit this application, it is employed in the reconfiguration mechanism of a U-slotted antenna. In different states of the switch, the antenna resonates at different frequencies. All the standard frequency bands of the wireless communication services with some additional frequency bands is covered with this reconfigurable U-slotted antenna. Moreover, the proposed antenna structure is a cost-effective solution since it comprises a commonly used FR4 substrate. The switch is integrated with antenna structure on the same substrate. A prototype of the designed antenna was fabricated and tested for performance verification of the proposed switch and antenna.

1. Tariq, A. and H. Ghafouri-Shiraz, "Frequency-reconfigurable monopole antennas," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 60, No. 1, 44-50, 2012.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2011.2167929 Google Scholar

2. Cetiner, B. A., G. R. Crusats, L. Jofre, and N. Biyikli, "RF MEMS integrated frequency reconfigurable annular slot antenna," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 58, No. 3, 626-632, 2010.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2009.2039300 Google Scholar

3. Hall, P. S., P. Gardner, J. Kelly, E. Ebrahimi, M. R. Hamid, F. Ghanem, F. J. Herraiz-Martinez, and D. Segovia-Vargas, "Reconfigurable antenna challenges for future radio systems," Proc. 3rd Eur. Conf. Antennas Propag., 949-955, Berlin, Germany, 2009. Google Scholar

4. Oh, S. H., J. T. Aberle, S. Anantharaman, K. Arai, H. L. Chong, and S. C. Koay, "Electronically tunable antenna pair and novel RF front-end architecture for software-defined radios," EURASIP J. Appl. Signal Process., Vol. 2005, 2701-2707, 2005. Google Scholar

5. Romano, N., G. Prisco, and F. Soldovieri, "Design of a reconfigurable antenna for ground penetrating radar applications," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 94, 1-18, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIER09040802 Google Scholar

6. Martinez-Lopez, R., J. Rodriguez-Cuevas, A. E. Martynyuk, and J. I. Martinez-Lopez, "An active ring slot with RF MEMS switchable radial stubs for reconfigurable frequency selective surface applications," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 128, 419-440, 2012. Google Scholar

7. Petit, L., L. Dussopt, and J.-M. Laheurte, "MEMS-switched parasitic-antenna array for radiation pattern diversity," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 54, No. 9, 2624-2631, 2006.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2006.880751 Google Scholar

8. Anagnostou, D. E., G. Zheng, M. T. Chryssomallis, J. C. Lyke, G. E. Ponchak, J. Papapolymerou, and C. G. Christodoulou, "Design, fabrication and measurements of an RF-MEMS-based self similar reconfigurable antenna," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 54, No. 2, 422-432, 2006.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2005.863399 Google Scholar

9. Boyle, K. R. and P. G. Steeneken, "A five-band reconfigurable PIFA for mobile phones," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 55, No. 11, 3300-3309, 2007.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2007.908822 Google Scholar

10. Mak, C. K., C. R. Rowell, R. D. Murch, and C.-L. Mak, "Reconfigurable multiband antenna designs for wireless communication devices," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 55, No. 7, 1919-1928, 2007.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2007.895634 Google Scholar

11. Rajagopalan, H., R.-S. Yahya, and W. A. Imbriale, "RF MEMS actuated reconfigurable reflectarray patch-slot element," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 56, No. 12, 3689-3699, 2008.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2008.2007388 Google Scholar

12. Kingsley, N., G. E. Ponchak, and J. Papapolymerou, "Reconfigurable RF MEMS phased array antenna integrated within a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) system-on-package," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 56, No. 1, 108-118, 2008.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2007.913151 Google Scholar

13. Shynu, S. V., G. Augustin, C. K. Aanandan, P. Mohanan, and K. Vasudevan, "Design of compact reconfigurable dual frequency microstrip antennas using varactor diodes," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 60, 197-205, 2006.
doi:10.2528/PIER05120101 Google Scholar

14. Monti, G., L. Corchia, and L. Tarricone, "A microstrip antenna with a reconfigurable pattern for RFID applications," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 45, 101-116, 2012. Google Scholar

15. Vu, T. M., G. Prigent, J. Ruan, and R. Plana, "Design and fabrication of RF-MEMS switch for V-band reconfigurable application," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 39, 301-318, 2012.
doi:10.2528/PIERB12021404 Google Scholar

16. Al-Husseini, M., L. Safatly, A. Ramadan, A. El-Hajj, K. Y. Kabalan, and C. G. Christodoulou, "Reconfigurable filter antenna for pulse adaptation in UWB cognitive radio systems," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 37, 327-342, 2012.
doi:10.2528/PIERB11111807 Google Scholar

17. Naglich, E. J., J. Lee, D. Peroulis, and W. J. Chappell, "Switchless tunable bandstop-to-all-pass reconfigurable filter," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 60, No. 5, 1258-1265, 2012. Google Scholar

18. Miller, A. and J. Hong, "Cascaded coupled line filter with reconfigurable bandwidths using LCP multilayer circuit technology," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 60, No. 6, 1577-1586, 2012.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2012.2189242 Google Scholar

19. Chan, K. Y., S. Fouladi, R. Ramer, and R. R. Mansour, "RF MEMS switchable interdigital bandpass filter," IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Vol. 22, No. 1, 44-46, 2012.
doi:10.1109/LMWC.2011.2176926 Google Scholar

20. Saed, M. A., "Reconfigurable broadband microstrip antenna FED by a coplanar waveguide," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 55, 227-239, 2005.
doi:10.2528/PIER05031601 Google Scholar

21. Domingue, F., S. Fouladi, A. B. Kouki, and R. R. Mansour, "Design methodology and optimization of distributed MEMS matching networks for low-microwave-frequency applications," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 57, No. 12, 3030-3041, 2009.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2009.2034218 Google Scholar

22. Rabieirad, L. and S. Mohammadi, "Reconfigurable CMOS tuners for software-defined radio," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 57, No. 11, 2768-2774, 2009.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2009.2032464 Google Scholar

23. Melde, K. L., H.-J. Park, H.-H. Yeh, B. Fankem, Z. Zhou, and W. R. Eisenstadt, "Software defined match control circuit integrated with a planar inverted F antenna," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 58, No. 12, 3884-3890, 2010.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2010.2078442 Google Scholar

24 . Monti, G., R. De Paolis, and L. Tarricone, "Design of a 3-state reconfigurable CRLH transmission line based on MEMS switches," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 95, 283-297, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIER09071109 Google Scholar

25. Topalli, K., O. A. Civi, S. Demir, S. Koc, and T. Akin, "A monolithic phased array using 3-bit distributed RF MEMS phase shifters," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 56, No. 2, 270-277, 2008.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2007.914377 Google Scholar

26. Qiao, D., R. Molfino, S. M. Lardizabal, B. Pillans, P. M. Asbeck, and G. Jerinic, "An intelligently controlled RF power amplifier with a reconfigurable MEMS-varactor tuner," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 53, No. 3, 1089-1095, 2005.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2005.843495 Google Scholar

27. Fu, C. T., C.-L. Ko, C.-N. Kuo, and Y.-Z. Juang, "A 2.4-5.4-GHz wide tuning-range CMOS reconfigurable low-noise amplifier," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 56, No. 12, 2754-2763, 2008.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2008.2006804 Google Scholar

28. El-Nozahi, M., E. Sanchez-Sinencio, and K. Entesari, "A CMOS low-noise amplifier with reconfigurable input matching network," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 57, No. 5, 1054-1062, 2009.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2009.2017249 Google Scholar

29. Kim, K. Y., W. Y. Kim, H. S. Son, I. Y. Oh, and C. S. Park, "A reconfigurable quad-band CMOS class E power amplifier for mobile and wireless applications," IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Vol. 21, No. 7, 380-382, 2011.
doi:10.1109/LMWC.2011.2152384 Google Scholar

30. Jamlos, M. F., T. A. Rahman, M. R. Kamarudin, M. T. Ali, M. N. Md Tan, and P. Saad, "Reconfigurable aperture coupled planar antenna array at 2.3 GHz," PIERS Proceedings, 573-578, Xi'an, China, Mar. 22-26, 2010. Google Scholar

31. Razali, A. R., "Reconfigurable coplanar inverted-F antenna with electronically controlled ground slot," Progress In Electromagnetics Research B, Vol. 34, 63-76, 2011. Google Scholar

32. Persico, R., N. Romano, and F. Soldovieri, "Design of a balun for a bow tie antenna in reconfigurable ground penetrating radar systems," Progress In Electromagnetics Research C, Vol. 18, 123-135, 2011. Google Scholar

33. Korosec, T., P. Ritos, and M. Vidmar, "Varactor-tuned microstrip-patch antenna with frequency and polarization agility," Electron. Lett., Vol. 42, No. 8, 1015-1017, 2006.
doi:10.1049/el:20061699 Google Scholar

34. Aboufoul, T., A. Alomainy, and C. Parini, "Reconfiguring UWB monopole antenna for cognitive radio applications using GaAs FET switches," IEEE Antennas Wireless Propag. Letters, Vol. 11, 1392-1394, 2012. Google Scholar

35. Kang, W., K. H. Ko, and K. Kim, "A compact beam reconfigurable antenna for symmetric beam switching," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 129, 1-16, 2012. Google Scholar

36. Rebeiz, G. M. and J. B. Muldavin, "RF MEMS switches and switch circuits," IEEE Microwave Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 4, 59-71, 2001.
doi:10.1109/6668.969936 Google Scholar

37. Bayraktar, O., O. A. Civi, and T. Akin, "Beam switching reflectarray monolithically integrated with RF MEMS switches," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 60, No. 2, 854-862, 2012.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2011.2173099 Google Scholar

38. Tong, K. F., K.-M. Luk, K.-F. Lee, and R. Q. Lee, "A broad-band U-slot rectangular patch antenna on a microwave substrate," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 48, No. 6, 854-862, 2000. Google Scholar

39. Ramadan, A., K. Y. Kabalan, A. El-Hajj, S. Khoury, and M. Al-Husseini, "A reconfigurable U-Koch microstrip antenna for wireless applications," Progress In Electromagnetics Research, Vol. 93, 355-367, 2009.
doi:10.2528/PIER09050605 Google Scholar

40. Kim, I. and Y. Rahmat-Samii, "RF MEMS switchable slot patch antenna integrated with bias network," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 59, No. 12, 4811-4815, 2011.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2011.2165512 Google Scholar

41. Qin, P. Y., Y. J. Guo, A. R. Weily, and C.-H. Liang, "A pattern reconfigurable U-slot antenna and its applications in MIMO systems," IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., Vol. 60, No. 2, 516-528, 2012.
doi:10.1109/TAP.2011.2173439 Google Scholar

42. Chang, H. P., J. Qian, B. A. Cetiner, F. De Flaviis, M. Bachman, and G. P. Li, "Design and process considerations for fabricating RF MEMS switches on printed circuit boards," Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, Vol. 14, No. 6, 1311-1322, 2005.
doi:10.1109/JMEMS.2005.859088 Google Scholar

43. Cetiner, B. A., L. Jofre, C. H. Chang, J. Y. Qian, M. Bachman, G. P. Li, and F. De Flaviis, "Integrated MEM antenna system for wireless communications," IEEE MTT-S Int. Microwave Symp. Dig., Vol. 14, No. 6, 1333-1337, 2002. Google Scholar

44. Cetiner, B. A., J. Y. Qian, H. P. Chang, M. Bachman, G. P. Li, and F. De Flaviis, "Monolithic integration of RF MEMS switches with a diversity antenna on PCB substrate," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., Vol. 51, 332-335, 2003.
doi:10.1109/TMTT.2002.806521 Google Scholar

Dr. Ali Pourziad

Prof. Saeid Nikmehr

Dr. Hadi Veladi