A 2-bit reconfigurable meander slot antenna with RF-MEMS switches

A novel antenna with two RF-MEMS switches placed symmetrically on an asymmetrical meander-shaped slot yielding four different operating frequencies is proposed. The final antenna was manufactured and the four different switching configurations were verified with dummy switches. The measured results were satisfying for all four frequencies with a return loss well above 10 dB. In addition, the actual switches were mounted on the antenna. This proved that the antenna properties are unaffected by the switches. Further use of additional switches on the same antenna is discussed in the paper.