초록 ▼

A high quality-factor, tunable radio frequency or microwave resonator is disclosed. The resonator includes one or more microelectromechanical switches positioned along its length. The switches are comprised of metal membrane bridges spanning the microstrip resonator. The bridges are connected to rad

A high quality-factor, tunable radio frequency or microwave resonator is disclosed. The resonator includes one or more microelectromechanical switches positioned along its length. The switches are comprised of metal membrane bridges spanning the microstrip resonator. The bridges are connected to radial stubs that comprise reactive loads. An electrostatic potential differential between the bridge and microstrip resonator causes the bridge to collapse, thereby coupling a radial stub to the microstrip. The imposition of the reactive loads on the resonator causes the resonant frequency to change. Multiple resonators employed in a filter configuration can be variably coupled using microelectromechanical bridges that engage or disengage capacitive air gaps between two microstrip lines, to control filter bandwidth over wide tuning ranges.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A tunable resonator for use in filtering radio frequency electromagnetic signals, which resonator is comprised of:a microstrip conductor fabricated on a dielectric substrate; a microelectromechanical bridge that spans the microstrip conductor, the bridge assuming either a resting state in which t

1. A tunable resonator for use in filtering radio frequency electromagnetic signals, which resonator is comprised of:a microstrip conductor fabricated on a dielectric substrate; a microelectromechanical bridge that spans the microstrip conductor, the bridge assuming either a resting state in which the bridge is not coupled to the microstrip, or a collapsed state in which the bridge is coupled to the microstrip; a bias circuit connected to the microelectromechanical bridge that can impose an electrostatic potential differential between the bridge and the microstrip to cause the bridge to enter its collapsed state; an open radial stub connected to the bridge, such that the stub is coupled to the microstrip when the bridge is in the collapsed state, and the stub is not coupled to the microstrip when the bridge is in the resting state; whereby the frequency to which the resonator is tuned is determined by the state of the microelectromechanical bridge.