Patent ID: 6440767
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A method of switching an RF signal applied at an input port to one of two output ports, comprising the steps of:providing a monolithic SPDT RF MEMS switch comprising: a substrate; an input line on top of the substrate; a first output line on top of the substrate and separated from the input line; a first substrate electrode on top of the substrate, located adjacent to but separated from the input line and the first output line; a second output line on top of the substrate and separated from the input line; a second substrate electrode on top of the substrate, located adjacent to but separated from the input line and the second output line; a first armature comprising: a first armature lower structural layer having a first end mechanically connected to the substrate and a second end positioned over the input line and first output line; a first conducting transmission line located at the second end of the first armature structural layer and suspended above the input line and the first output line; and a first suspended armature electrode disposed above and in contact with the first armature lower structural layer and suspended above the first substrate electrode; and a second armature comprising: a second armature lower structural layer having a first end mechanically connected to the substrate and a second end positioned over the input line and the second output line; a second conducting transmission line located at the second end of the second armature structural layer and suspended above the input line and the second output line; and a second suspended armature electrode disposed above and in contact with the second armature lower structural layer and suspended above the second substrate electrode; and connecting the input port to the input line; connecting one of the output ports to the first output line and the other output port to the second output line; and applying a voltage between a selected one of the two substrate electrodes and the armature electrode suspended above the substrate electrode so as to cause the armature suspended above the selected substrate electrode to close.