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:
Jan. 04, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 28, 2007
Ruediger Bauder, Feldkirchen-Westerham, DE;
David Durgin Coons, Greensboro, NC (US);
David C. Dening, Stokesdale, NC (US);
Jon D. Jorgenson, Greensboro, NC (US);
Ruediger Bauder, Feldkirchen-Westerham, DE;
David Durgin Coons, Greensboro, NC (US);
David C. Dening, Stokesdale, NC (US);
Jon D. Jorgenson, Greensboro, NC (US);
RF Micro Devices, Inc., Greensboro, NC (US);
Abstract
Pilot switch circuitry coupled across first and second terminals of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switch is provided to reduce or eliminate arcing between a cantilever contact and a terminal contact when the MEMS switch is opened or closed. The pilot switch circuitry establishes a common potential at the first and second terminals prior to, and preferably until, the cantilever contact and terminal contact come into contact with one another when the MEMS switch is closed. The pilot switch circuitry may also establish a common potential at the first and second terminals prior to, and preferably after, the cantilever contact and terminal contact separate from one another when the MEMS switch is opened.