Microelectromechanical RF switch

• US 6,657,525 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Young, Robert, DeSalvo, Gregory, Dickens, Lawrence E., Sacks, Fred E., Fudem, Howard, Crockett, Don E., Lindberg, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuyen T.
• Application Number:
  US10/157,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20030227361A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 335/78-86, 335/128, 200/181, 257/414, 257/421, 257/531, 257/417-18, 361/233, 361/234
• US Class Current: 335/78
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 5/16 using variation of distance between electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/0036 Switches making use of microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] for electromagnetic relays H01H50/005; for electrostatic relays H01H59/0009
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2059/0072 with stoppers or protrusions for maintaining a gap, reducing the contact area or for preventing stiction between the movable and the fixed electrode in the attracted position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 59/0009 making use of micromechanics

Abstract

A MEMS switch having spaced-apart RF conductors on a substrate with a bridge structure disposed above the substrate. In one embodiment the bridge structure has two flexible arms supported by two support members and in another embodiment the bridge structure has three flexible arms supported by three support members, the third support member being electrically integral with the second conductor. The bridge structure is drawn down to effect electrical contact between the first and second conductors by application of a control signal to a control electrode, having an opposed electrode on the undersurface of the bridge structure. A central stiffener portion of the bridge prevents any contact between the control and opposed electrodes.

Claims

1. A MEMS switch comprising:

a substrate member;

first and second spaced-apart conductors deposited on said substrate;

a plurality of support members;

a bridge structure disposed above said substrate and having a plurality of flexible arms connected to respective ones of said support members;

said bridge structure including a central stiffener portion;

at least one control electrode deposited on said substrate for receiving a DC control signal to activate said switch to a closed position;

said bridge structure having an undersurface including at least one metallic area for forming an opposed electrode portion facing said control electrode, for electrostatic attraction upon application of said DC control signal to said control electrode;

said bridge structure, upon said application of said DC control signal, being drawn down, by said electrostatic attraction, to complete an electrical circuit between said first and second conductors; and

said central stiffener portion being of a material to resist bending in a manner that, when said bridge structure is drawn down completing said electrical circuit, there is no contact between said control electrode and said opposed electrode portion.

2. A switch according to claim 1 which includes:

two said control electrodes deposited on said substrate and being electrically interconnected;

two said opposed electrode portions on said bridge structure;

said undersurface of said bridge structure being free of any dielectric material in the region of said opposed electrode portions facing said control electrode.

3. A switch according to claim 1 which includes:

only one said control electrode deposited on said substrate;

only one said opposed electrode portion on said bridge structure;

said undersurface of said bridge structure being free of any dielectric material in the region of said opposed electrode portion facing said control electrode.

4. A switch according to claim 1 wherein:

said bridge structure is comprised of an essentially flat metallic bridge member; and

said central stiffener portion is deposited on top of said metallic bridge member.

5. A switch according to claim 4 wherein:

said central stiffener portion is a solid oxide.

6. A switch according to claim 5 wherein:

said central stiffener portion is a silicon oxide.

7. A switch according to claim 1 which includes:

two said support members;

said bridge structure includes two said flexible arms connected to respective ones of said support members.

8. A switch according to claim 7 wherein:

said flexible arms are bifurcated.

9. A switch according to claim 1 which includes:

three said support members;

said bridge structure includes two laterally extending flexible arms connected to respective first and second ones of said support members;

said bridge structure including a third arm connected to a third of said support members;

at least said third support member being electrically conducting;

said third support member being electrically integral with said second conductor.

10. A switch according to claim 9 wherein:

at least two of said flexible arms are bifurcated.

11. A switch according to claim 9 wherein:

only one said control electrode is deposited on said substrate;

said first conductor has a distal end under said bridge structure;

said control electrode partially surrounds said distal end of said first conductor.

12. A switch according to claim 9 wherein:

only one said control electrode is deposited on said substrate;

said first conductor has a bifurcated distal end under said bridge structure;

said bifurcated distal end defining spaced-apart conductor segments;

said control electrode being located in the space between said spaced-apart conductor segments.

13. A switch according to claim 9 wherein:

said second conductor has a bifurcated end defining first and second spaced-apart conductor segments;

said first support member being electrically integral with said first conductor segment;

said second support member being electrically integral with said second conductor segment.

14. A switch according to claim 1 wherein:

said first conductor tapers down to two small contact areas;

said second conductor tapers down to two small contact areas;

said control electrode is positioned between said first and second conductors.

15. A switch according to claim 14 wherein:

said control electrode includes four notches;

each said notch partially surrounding a respective one of said contact areas.

16. A switch according to claim 1 which includes:

a plurality of stops positioned on said substrate beneath said bridge structure and being of a height to aid in preventing said bridge structure from touching said control electrode, when said bridge structure is drawn down.