Raytheon Company

Nuvotronics, LLC

Steve Huettner

David W Sherrer

Jean-Marc Rollin

Kenneth J Vanhille

Marcus Oliver

An apparatus comprising a first power combiner/divider network and a second power combiner/divider network. The first power combiner/divider network splits a first electromagnetic signal into split signals that are connectable to signal processor(s). The second power combiner/divider network combines processed signals into a second electromagnetic signal. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional coaxial microstructure.

Three-dimensional microstructures

A system and method for providing overvoltage and overcurrent protection. The present teachings provide a method for protecting a component including the steps of: 1) connecting a first terminal of a normally open micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch to a source of an input signal with respect to the component; 2) connecting a second terminal of the switch to an input to the component; and 3) connecting a third terminal of the switch to a source of control potential to activate the switch on the application of power thereto. In a most general embodiment, the invention provides an arrangement for protecting a component comprising a MEMS switch having a first terminal coupled to a source of an input signal; a second terminal coupled to said component; and a third terminal adapted to activate the switch on the application of control power thereto. In the best mode, the switch is normally open, the first terminal is a drain terminal, and the second terminal is coupled to a source of ground potential. In an illustrative application, the invention is used in an antenna having an array of antenna elements and a MEMS switch coupled to at least one of the elements to provide over-voltage and/or over-current protection. In the best mode, a separate MEMS switch is coupled to each element in the array in a normally open configuration via the drain terminal thereof.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Steve Huettner