A Novel Transmitting Module Self-Monitoring Protection System Based On MEMS Sensors and Actuators

Design, fabrication, and measurements of a novel transmitting module self-monitoring protection system are presented in this letter. Such a system is based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and actuators for monitoring and protecting the microwave amplifier circuit. The transmitting module self-monitoring protection system consists of the RF MEMS switches, the directional coupler, and the MEMS power sensors. When the microwave amplifier circuit is at an abnormal state (“open,” “short,” or “overload”), the transmitting module self-monitoring protection system can isolate the microwave amplifier circuit out of order and reconfigure the transmitting module into impedance matching within 36 ms. When the microwave amplifier circuit is at the overload state, the error between the set switching power and the actual switching power is less than 9%. The measured results agree well with the theory.