On the silicon-etched re-configurable antenna with RF-MEMS switches

Re-configurability in an antenna system is a desired characteristic that has been the focus of much research in recent years. In this work, RF-MEMS switches are integrated with self-similar planar antennas to provide a re-configurable antenna system that radiates with similar patterns over a wide range of frequencies. The different issues encountered during the integration of the MEMS switches and the overall antenna structure are described and discussed in this paper.