Design, optimization and analysis of reconfigurable antenna using RF MEMS switch

This paper presents the design, optimization and analysis of a novel radio-frequency micro electromechanical system (RF MEMS) switch for reconfigurable antenna. The proposed antenna operates at frequency band from 4.5 to 12.5 GHz. The antenna is created by reconfiguring its size using a rectangular patch and an inverted U shaped patch via RF MEMS switch. A series metal to metal contact RF MEMS switch is designed and optimized for low actuation voltage with adequate switching speed and excellent RF characteristics. The design of RF MEMS switch is simulated using CoventorWare and RF analysis is performed on Ansys HFSS software. Pull in voltage obtained for the switch is 5.7 V with switching time of 38.7 μs. The isolation obtained is better than − 20 dB for DC to 25 GHz. Insertion loss is less than − 0.4 dB for DC to 60 GHz and return loss is also better than − 23 dB for DC to 60 GHz. Further the designed reconfigurable antenna is simulated using Ansys HFSS software. The antenna is reconfigurable at 4.5 GHz, 8.6 GHz, 9 GHz, 12.3 GHz, 12.4 GHz and 12.5 GHz for different switch positions.