Book Description
The purpose of this program is to develop and demonstrate MEMS for RF communications applications. The development activities focus on two MEMS devices: RF Switches and Tunable Capacitors. The application of these components to RF subsystems offers the potential for substantial improvements in a number of performance metrics, including size, weight, power consumption, and parts count. The advantages of MEMS technology will be demonstrated in this program by insertions of these devices into three military communication subsystems, corresponding to the three following technical tasks: 1) MEM Tunable Capacitor-based UHF Tracking Filter for the F-22 Antenna Interface Unit (AIU), 2) MEM RF Switch-based VHF Tracking Filter for the Comanche Helicopter AIU, and 3) MEM Tunable RF Filter (incorporating both MEM RF Switches and Tunable Capacitors) for the Receiver Pre-selector in the Joint Services ARC-210 Radio. Demonstration of MEMS RF switches in the space environment and the reliability assessment of RF Switches and Capacitors are also included.