Wafer Level Micropackaging for RF MEMS Switches


Book Description

Wafer-level micro-encapsulation is an innovative, low-cost, wafer-level packaging method for encapsulating RF MEMS switches. This zero-level packaging technique has demonstrated 0.04 dB package insertion loss at 35 GHz. This article overviews the processes, measurements, and testing methods used for determining the integrity and performance of individual encapsulated RF MEMS packages.




Wafer Level Micro-Encapsulation


Book Description

Wafer-level micro-encapsulation is an innovative, low-cost, wafer-level packaging method for encapsulating RF MEMS switches. This zero-level packaging technique has demonstrated
















Radio Frequency Micromachined Switches, Switching Networks, and Phase Shifters


Book Description

Radio Frequency Micromachined Switches, Switching Networks, and Phase Shifters discusses radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS)-based control components and will be useful for researchers and R&D engineers. It offers an in-depth study, performance analysis, and extensive characterization on micromachined switches and phase shifters. The reader will learn about basic design methodology and techniques to carry out extensive measurements on MEMS switches and phase shifters which include electrical, mechanical, power handling, linearity, temperature stability, reliability, and radio frequency performance. Practical examples included in the book will help readers to build high performance systems/subsystems using micromachined circuits. Key Features Provides simple design methodology of MEMS switches and switching networks including SPST to SP16T switches Gives an in-depth performance study of micromachined phase shifters. Detailed study on reliability and power handling capability of RF MEMS switches and phase shifters presented Proposes reconfigurable micromachined phase shifters Verifies a variety of MEMS switches and phase shifters experimentally




Advanced Packaging and Manufacturing Technology Based on Adhesion Engineering


Book Description

This book introduces microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) packaging utilizing polymers or thin films – a new and unique packaging technology. It first investigates the relationship between applied load and opening displacement as a function of benzocyclobutene (BCB) cap size to find the debonding behavior, and then presents BCB cap deformation and stress development at different opening displacements as a function of BCB thickness, which is a criterion for BCB cap transfer failure. Transfer packaging techniques are attracting increasing interest because they deliver packaging caps, from carrier wafers to device wafers, and minimize the fabrication issues frequently encountered in thin-film or polymer cap encapsulation. The book describes very-low-loss polymer cap or thin-film-transfer techniques based on anti-adhesion coating methods for radio frequency (RF) (-MEMS) device packaging. Since the polymer caps are susceptible to deformation due to their relatively low mechanical stiffness during debonding of the carrier wafer, the book develops an appropriate finite element model (FEM) to simulate the debonding process occurring in the interface between Si carrier wafer and BCB cap. Lastly, it includes the load–displacement curve of different materials and presents a flexible polymer filter and a tunable filter as examples of the applications of the proposed technology.




Influence of 0-level Packaging on the Microwave Performance of RF-MEMS Devices


Book Description

RF-MEMS devices (Radio Frequency-MicroElectroMechanical Systems) are made of moveable and fragile structures (membranes, beams, cantilevers, & that must be encapsulated for protection and for stable performance characteristics. Zero-level or wafer-level packaging developed so far has been limited to dc-components. This paper elaborates on the design and fabrication of a 0-level package for housing RF-MEMS devices. The fabrication process is described and packages are characterized in terms of mechanical strength, hermeticity and microwave performance in the range 1-50 GHz. Simulations and experiments show minimal impact of the package on the RF losses if the cap has a minimal height of 50 æm, if low-loss materials (e.g., glass) are used, and if matched RF feedthroughs are implemented. Finally, in a multi-switch design, we recommend to minimize the number of feedthroughs, i.e. to use a single cap for the entire design.




RF MEMS


Book Description

Ultrasmall Radio Frequency and Micro-wave Microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMs), such as switches, varactors, and phase shifters, exhibit nearly zero power consumption or loss. For this reason, they are being developed intensively by corporations worldwide for use in telecommunications equipment. This book acquaints readers with the basics of RF MEMs and describes how to design practical circuits and devices with them. The author, an acknowledged expert in the field, presents a range of real-world applications and shares many valuable tricks of the trade.