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Development of different K-band MEMS phase shifter designs for satellite COTM terminals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2010

P. Farinelli ,
S. Bastioli ,
E. Chiuppesi ,
F. Di Maggio ,
B. Margesin ,
S. Colpo ,
A. Ocera ,
M. Russo  and
I. Pomona
P. Farinelli*
Affiliation:
Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy.
S. Bastioli
Affiliation:
Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy.
E. Chiuppesi
Affiliation:
Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy.
F. Di Maggio
Affiliation:
Selex Communications Spa, Via Sidney Sonnino, 6-95045 Misterbianco, CT, Italy.
B. Margesin
Affiliation:
Memsrad Research Unit, FBK-IRST, Via Somarive 14, 38050 Trento, Italy.
S. Colpo
Affiliation:
Memsrad Research Unit, FBK-IRST, Via Somarive 14, 38050 Trento, Italy.
A. Ocera
Affiliation:
Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy.
M. Russo
Affiliation:
Selex Communications Spa, Via Sidney Sonnino, 6-95045 Misterbianco, CT, Italy.
I. Pomona
Affiliation:
Selex Communications Spa, Via Sidney Sonnino, 6-95045 Misterbianco, CT, Italy.
*
Corresponding author: Paola Farinelli Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This work presents the design, manufacturing, and testing of three 5-bit K-band Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) phase shifters based on similar architectures (combination of switched line and loaded line) but employing different MEMS switch typologies (cantilevers and air bridges) and RF junctions (SP2T and SP4T). All devices have been monolithically manufactured on 200 µm thick high resistivity silicon substrate (4″) by using the Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) RF MEMS process. The performance of the different devices has been compared in order to identify the best configuration to be implemented in electronically steerable phased array antennas for satellite COTM (communication on the move) terminals. Excellent performances were measured for the dielectric-free pad RF MEMS switches as well as the single bits constituting the phase shifter. The three 5-bit devices show return losses better than 15 dB for all states, with average insertion loss of 3.5 dB for the clamped–clamped, SP2T-based design, 2.2 dB for the cantilever, SP2T-based device and 2.1 dB for the cantilever, SP4 T-based design. A low-cost Surface Mountable Technology (SMT) one-level package has been developed as well to allow the phase shifter integration into phased array antennas by using automatic surface mounting techniques. The design and simulation of the SMT package are also presented together with its measured RF performance.

Keywords

Microwave phase shifterElectronic scanning antennasMEMS ohmic switches
Type
Original Article
Information
International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies , Volume 2 , Special Issue 3-4: European Microwave Week 2009 , August 2010 , pp. 263 - 271
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and the European Microwave Association 2010

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References

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