Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Don E Crockett

Robert Miles Young

Frank A Lindberg

Howard N Fudem

Lawrence E Dickens

Fred E Sacks

Gregory DeSalvo

A MEMS switch having spaced-apart RF conductors on a substrate with a bridge structure disposed above the substrate. In one embodiment the bridge structure has two flexible arms supported by two support members and in another embodiment the bridge structure has three flexible arms supported by three support members, the third support member being electrically integral with the second conductor. The bridge structure is drawn down to effect electrical contact between the first and second conductors by application of a control signal to a control electrode, having an opposed electrode on the undersurface of the bridge structure. A central stiffener portion of the bridge prevents any contact between the control and opposed electrodes.

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Columbia, MD, United States of America

Don E Crockett