The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 08, 2005
Filed:
May. 02, 2001
Roland Gilbert, Milford, NH (US);
Roland Gilbert, Milford, NH (US);
Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration INC, Nashua, NH (US);
Abstract
The present invention features an RF-actuated microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch for use with switchable RF structures such as antennas. An antenna within each MEMS switch module is coupled to a tuned circuit and a detector. The DC voltage output of the detector is used as the control input to the MEMS switch. This allows arrays of MEMS switch modules to be actuated by remotely generated radio frequency signals thus alleviating the need for running metallic conductors or optical fibers to each MEMS switch. The MEMS switch is particularly suited for use in conjunction with both passive and active antenna elements to allow reconfiguration of antenna or other RF structures. Frequency response characteristics, phasing, and directionality characteristics may be altered easily.