Micro electro mechanical switch (MEMS) technology applied to electronically scanned arrays for space based radar

Recent developments in Micro Electro Mechanical Switches (MEMS) provide the potential for significant reduction in the cost and mass of Electronically Scanned Arrays (ESAs) for Space Based Radar (SBR) and communications applications. This paper addresses the current and projected status of Radio Frequency (RF) MEMS technology and provides an assessment of MEMS phase shifters for application to large aperture ESAs. A trade study was conducted comparing the system-level impact of MEMS phase shifters and conventional technologies. The study used a nominal SBR array of 150,000 elements and analyzed the effect of several competing ESA technologies on antenna efficiency, weight, and cost. It was found that the MEMS phase shifters had a significant efficiency, cost and weight advantage for large array sizes that are consistent with SBR applications.