Silicon-etched re-configurable self-similar antenna with RF-MEMS switches

Self-similar antennas have been well known for their multiband characteristics. The use of series ohmic contact cantilever RF MEMS switches in coordination with a simple self-similar antenna is exploited. The compatibility of the designs and the fractal nature of the antenna can lead to large increases in antenna performance, since not only a wider selection of frequencies, but also several different radiation patterns can be radiated with a single antenna. In this paper, the design and the compatibility of the switches and simulated results are presented.