A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches

A geometrical reconfigurable structure based on RF Micro-electro-mechanical switches (RF-MEMS) is proposed in this work. The structure is composed of an array of gold metallic patches interconnected together utilizing RF-MEMS switches in order to change its geometry and, consequently, the scattering...

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Main Authors: Massimo Donelli, Jacopo Iannacci, Mohammedhusen Manekiya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/10941
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author Massimo Donelli
Jacopo Iannacci
Mohammedhusen Manekiya
author_facet Massimo Donelli
Jacopo Iannacci
Mohammedhusen Manekiya
author_sort Massimo Donelli
collection DOAJ
description A geometrical reconfigurable structure based on RF Micro-electro-mechanical switches (RF-MEMS) is proposed in this work. The structure is composed of an array of gold metallic patches interconnected together utilizing RF-MEMS switches in order to change its geometry and, consequently, the scattering parameters. In particular, the reconfigurability is achieved by activating multiple RF-MEMS switches, which enables the change in electrical length and, consequently, the resonance frequency of the structure. As a proof of concept, an experimental antenna prototype composed of an array of <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>7</mn><mo>×</mo><mn>7</mn></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> elements interconnected by a set of RF-MEMS switches has been designed, fabricated numerically, and experimentally assessed. The structure can be set as an antenna or as other basic radio frequency components. The obtained experimental results are in good agreement with the simulations, with an error of less than <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>5</mn><mo>%</mo></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> for the considered radiating structures. The quite promising results demonstrate the potential and flexibility of the proposed structure.
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spelling doaj-art-75f6034dafa043ec978bfd6070229b282025-08-20T01:55:34ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-11-0114231094110.3390/app142310941A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS SwitchesMassimo Donelli0Jacopo Iannacci1Mohammedhusen Manekiya2Department of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, ItalyCenter for Sensors and Devices (SD), Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), 38123 Trento, ItalyDepartment of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, ItalyA geometrical reconfigurable structure based on RF Micro-electro-mechanical switches (RF-MEMS) is proposed in this work. The structure is composed of an array of gold metallic patches interconnected together utilizing RF-MEMS switches in order to change its geometry and, consequently, the scattering parameters. In particular, the reconfigurability is achieved by activating multiple RF-MEMS switches, which enables the change in electrical length and, consequently, the resonance frequency of the structure. As a proof of concept, an experimental antenna prototype composed of an array of <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>7</mn><mo>×</mo><mn>7</mn></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> elements interconnected by a set of RF-MEMS switches has been designed, fabricated numerically, and experimentally assessed. The structure can be set as an antenna or as other basic radio frequency components. The obtained experimental results are in good agreement with the simulations, with an error of less than <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>5</mn><mo>%</mo></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> for the considered radiating structures. The quite promising results demonstrate the potential and flexibility of the proposed structure.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/10941reconfigurable antennasRF-MEMSMEMS antennasmm-wave antenna
spellingShingle Massimo Donelli
Jacopo Iannacci
Mohammedhusen Manekiya
A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches
Applied Sciences
reconfigurable antennas
RF-MEMS
MEMS antennas
mm-wave antenna
title A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches
title_full A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches
title_fullStr A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches
title_full_unstemmed A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches
title_short A New Concept of Reconfigurable Antenna Structure Based on an Array of RF-MEMS Switches
title_sort new concept of reconfigurable antenna structure based on an array of rf mems switches
topic reconfigurable antennas
RF-MEMS
MEMS antennas
mm-wave antenna
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/23/10941
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