Enhanced robustness of a bridge-type Rf-Mems switch for enabling applications in 5G and 6G communicationsr

In this paper, new suspended-membrane double-ohmic-contact RF-MEMS switch configurations are proposed. Double-diagonal (DDG) beam suspensions, with either two or three anchoring points, are designed and optimized to minimize membrane deformation due to residual fabrication stresses, thus exhibiting smaller mechanical deformation and a higher stiffness with more release force than previously designed single diagonal beam suspensions. The two-anchor DDGs are designed in two different orientations, in-line and 90¿ -rotated. The membrane may include a window to minimize the coupling to the lower electrode. The devices are integrated in a coplanar-waveguide transmission structure and fabricated using an eight-mask surface-micro-machining process on high-resistivity silicon, with dielectric-free actuation electrodes, and including glass protective caps. The RF-MEMS switch behavior is assessed from measurements of the device S parameters in ON and OFF states. The fabricated devices feature a measured pull-in voltage of 76.5 V/60 V for the windowed/not-windowed two-anchor DDG membranes, and 54 V/49.5 V for the windowed/notwindowed three-anchor DDG membranes, with a good agreement with mechanical 3D simulations. The measured ON-state insertion loss is better than 0.7 dB/0.8 dB and the isolation in the OFF state is better than 40 dB/31 dB up to 20 GHz for the in-line/90¿ -rotated devices, also in good agreement with 2.5D electromagnetic simulationsPostprint (published version

RF-MEMS switches designed for high-performance uniplanar microwave and mm-wave circuits

Radio frequency microelectromechanical system (RF-MEMS) switches have demonstrated superior electrical performance (lower loss and higher isolation) compared to semiconductor-based devices to implement reconigurable microwave and millimeter(mm)-wave circuits. In this chapter, electrostatically actuated RF-MEMS switch conigurations that can be easily integrated in uniplanar circuits are presented. The design procedure and fabrication process of RF-MEMS switch topologies able to control the propagating modes of multimodal uniplanar structures (those based on a combination of coplanar waveguide (CPW), coplanar stripline (CPS), and slotline) will be described in detail. Generalized electrical (multimodal) and mechanical models will be presented and applied to the switch design and simulation. The switch-simulated results are compared to measurements, conirming the expected performances. Using an integrated RF-MEMS surface micromachining process, high-performance multimodal reconigurable circuits, such as phase switches and ilters, are developed with the proposed switch conigurations. The design and optimization of these circuits are discussed and the simulated results compared to measurements.Peer Reviewe