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:
May. 09, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 13, 2003
Michel Charrier, Saclay, FR;
Thierry Dean, Gif sur Yvette, FR;
Afshin Ziaei, Vanves, FR;
Hervé Legay, Plaisance du Touch, FR;
Béatrice Pinte, Lanta, FR;
Raphaël Gillard, Rennes, FR;
Etienne Girard, Octeville, FR;
Ronan Moulinet, Plainis, FR;
Michel Charrier, Saclay, FR;
Thierry Dean, Gif sur Yvette, FR;
Afshin Ziaei, Vanves, FR;
Hervé Legay, Plaisance du Touch, FR;
Béatrice Pinte, Lanta, FR;
Raphaël Gillard, Rennes, FR;
Etienne Girard, Octeville, FR;
Ronan Moulinet, Plainis, FR;
Thales, Neuilly sur Seine, FR;
Abstract
The invention relates to phase-shifting cells constituting the passive reflectarrays of antennas with a reconfigurable transmission direction, transmitting in the microwave range. More particularly, the invention describes, within the context of phase-shifting cells of the type having dipole strands angularly distributed in a star configuration, a novel type of switch consisting of a microelectromechanical device essentially comprising a suspended micromembrane which, under the action of an electrostatic force caused by a control voltage, deforms sufficiently to ensure electrical connection between the strands, making it possible to form a dipole in the desired orientation. In one particular embodiment, the micromembrane can be likened to one of the plates of a capacitor and its deformation corresponds to a substantial increase in the capacitance of this capacitor, thus providing the electrical connection. This switch technology has the advantages of greater fabrication simplicity and of enhanced performance compared with the known technologies. The invention provides the main geometrical and technological characteristics for obtaining optimized performance.