Single-pole multi-throw switch having low parasitic reactance, and an antenna incorporating the same
First Claim
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1. A broadband switch arrangement comprising:
- (a) a plurality of MEMS switches arranged on a substrate about an axis through said substrate, each MEMS switch being disposed on a common imaginary circle centered on said axis, and each MEMS switch being spaced equidistantly along the circumference of said imaginary circle, the circle having a diameter which is smaller than one half wavelength for all frequencies in a passband of said broadband switch;
(b) a conductive via in said substrate arranged parallel to and on said axis; and
(c) connections for connecting a RF port of each one of said plurality of MEMS switches with said conductive via.
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Abstract
A switch arrangement comprises a plurality of MEMS switches arranged on a substrate about, and close to, a central point, each MEMS switch being disposed on a common imaginary circle centered on the central point. Additionally, and each MEMS switch is preferably spaced equidistantly along the circumference of the imaginary circle and within one quarter wavelength of the central point for frequencies in the passband of the switch arrangement. Connections are provided for connecting a RF port of each one of the MEMS switches with the central point.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A broadband switch arrangement comprising:
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(a) a plurality of MEMS switches arranged on a substrate about an axis through said substrate, each MEMS switch being disposed on a common imaginary circle centered on said axis, and each MEMS switch being spaced equidistantly along the circumference of said imaginary circle, the circle having a diameter which is smaller than one half wavelength for all frequencies in a passband of said broadband switch; (b) a conductive via in said substrate arranged parallel to and on said axis; and (c) connections for connecting a RF port of each one of said plurality of MEMS switches with said conductive via. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of making a switch arrangement comprising:
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disposing a plurality of MEMS switches on a substrate in a circular pattern about a point, the circular pattern having a diameter which is less than a half wavelength of frequencies in a passband of the switch arrangement; disposing a plurality of RF lines disposed in a radial pattern relative to said point on said substrate; and connecting said plurality of RF lines to a common junction point at said point on said substrate via said plurality of MEMS switches whereby operation of a one of said plurality of MEMS switches couples a one of said plurality of RF lines to said common junction, wherein at least two of the MEMS switches of said plurality of MEMS switches are arranged to couple selectively at least two RF lines to said point and wherein a pair of the at least two RF lines are disposed co-linearly of each other, providing a around plane in the substrate and providing a conductive via in said substrate arranged parallel to and on an axis through said point and normal to a major surface of said substrate, the conductive via passing through said ground plane without contacting same. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A switch arrangement comprising:
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(a) a plurality of MEMS switches arranged on a substrate about a central point, each MEMS switch being disposed on a common imaginary circle centered on said central point, said common imaginary circle having a diameter which is less than one half wavelength of frequencies in a passband of the switch arrangement; and (b) connections for connecting a RF port of each one of said MEMS switches with said central point, wherein at least two of the MEMS switches are spaced equidistantly along the circumference of said imaginary circle and arranged to couple selectively at least two transmission lines to said central point and wherein a pair of the at least two transmission lines are disposed co-linearly of each other, wherein the substrate has a ground plane therein and the switch arrangement further includes a conductive via in said substrate arranged parallel to and on a vertical axis which is normal to a major surface of substrate and which passes through said central point, the conductive via passing through said ground plane without contacting same. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A switch arrangement comprising:
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(a) a plurality of MEMS switches arranged on a substrate about a common RF port, the RF port having a centerline and each MEMS switch being disposed spaced equidistantly from the centerline of said RF port by a distance which is less than one quarter wavelength for frequencies in a passband of the switch arrangement; and (b) connections for connecting a RF contact of each one of said MEMS switches with said common RF port, wherein at least two of the MEMS switches of said plurality of MEMS switches are arranged to couple selectively at least two RF lines to said point and wherein a pair of the at least two RF lines are disposed co-linearly of each other, wherein the substrate has a ground plane therein and the switch arrangement further includes a conductive via in said substrate arranged parallel to and on a vertical axis which is normal to a major surface of substrate and which passes through said central point of the common RF port, the conductive via passing through said ground plane without contacting same.
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30. A switch arrangement comprising:
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(a) a plurality of MEMS switches arranged on a substrate about a first central point, each MEMS switch being disposed on a common imaginary circle centered on said first central point, said common imaginary circle having a diameter which is less than one half wavelength of frequencies in a passband of the switch arrangement; and (b) connections for connecting a RF port of each one of said MEMS switches with said first central point, wherein at least two of the MEMS switches are spaced equidistantly along the circumference of said imaginary circle and arranged to couple selectively at least two transmission lines to said central point and wherein a pair of the at least two transmission lines are disposed co-linearly of each other, wherein at least one of the MEMS switches is arranged to couple selectively the first central point of the switch arrangement to a second central point associated with another switch arrangement via a transmission line segment.
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31. A method of making a switch arrangement comprising:
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(a) disposing a plurality of MEMS switches on a substrate in a circular pattern about a point, the circular pattern having a diameter which is less than a half wavelength of frequencies in a passband of the switch arrangement; (b) disposing a plurality of RF lines disposed in a radial pattern relative to said point on said substrate; and (c) connecting said plurality of RF lines to a common junction point at said point on said substrate via said plurality of MEMS switches whereby operation of a one of said plurality of MEMS switches couples a one of said plurality of RF lines to said common junction, wherein at least two of the MEMS switches of said plurality of MEMS switches are arranged to couple selectively at least two RF lines to said point and wherein a pair of the at least two RF lines are disposed co-linearly of each other, wherein at least one of the MEMS switches of said plurality of MEMS switches is arranged to couple selectively the common junction point to another common junction point associated with another switch arrangement via a transmission line segment disposed on said substrate.
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Specification