A novel design of a low-voltage low-loss T-match RF-MEMS capacitive switch

Ma, Li Ya and Nordin, Anis Nurashikin and Soin, Norhayati (2018) A novel design of a low-voltage low-loss T-match RF-MEMS capacitive switch. Microsystem Technologies, 24 (1). pp. 561-574. ISSN 0946-7076, DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-017-3577-4.

Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-017-3577-4

Abstract

This paper presents a novel design, optimization and analysis of capacitive radio frequency (RF) micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switch. The design incorporates a novel membrane and beams’ structure with two short high-impedance transmission-line (T-line) sections added on either side of the switch (namely T-match switch) to improve its RF performance, while maintaining low-actuation voltage. The short high-impedance T-line section has narrower width and higher impedance than the coplanar waveguide (CPW)’s signal line, behaves as series inductor to compensate the switch’s up-state capacitance and provides excellent matching at the design frequency. This high-impedance T-line section was designed, simulated and optimized using finite-element-modelling (FEM) tool of electromagnetic (EM) simulator of AWR Design EnvironmentTM. The optimized T-line section’s width and length is 10 µm and 70 µm, respectively. The RF-MEMS switch is actuated by electrostatic force with low-actuation voltage of 2.9 V, has maximum von Mises stress of 13.208 MPa which is less than aluminium’s yield stress and can be operated in robust conditions. Compared to the normal capacitive RF-MEMS switch, this T-match capacitive RF-MEMS switch with two sections of optimized high-impedance T line has improved the performance of return loss and insertion loss, at switch-on state, by 45.83% and 55.35%, respectively; while at the switch-off state, the isolation is increased by 24.05%; only the switch-off return loss is degraded by 11.7% but the value (− 0.5519 dB) is still located in the range of design specifications. The RF-MEMS switch’s actuation time was simulated to be ~ 27 µs with amplitude of 5 V up-step voltage.

Item Type: Article
Funders: RACE fund (RACE12-006-0006), UM CR 004-2013, University Malaya High Impact Research Grant (UM.C/HIR/MOHE/ENG/19)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Capacitive RF MEMS switch; Coplanar wave-guide (CPW); Design specification; Electromagnetic simulators; Finite element modelling; Low actuation voltage; Micro electromechanical system (MEMS); RF MEMS capacitive switches
Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 29 May 2019 02:43
Last Modified: 29 May 2019 02:43
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/21376

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item