Patent ID: 6876282
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A single contact microelectromechanical switch comprising: a first level portion having a first electrode for input or output of a radio frequency signal, at least one first actuator electrode electrically isolated from the first electrode, and a first contact electrically cooperating with the first electrode; and a second level portion having at least a portion separated from the first level portion by an air gap, the second level portion having a deflective beam capable of deflecting into the air gap, the beam having at least one second actuator electrode corresponding to the at least one first actuator electrode, the beam further having a second electrode corresponding to the first electrode for the other of the input or output of the radio frequency signal and a second contact electrically cooperating with the second electrode, the at least one second attractive electrode being electrically isolated from the second electrode; wherein creation of an electrical attraction between the at least one first and second actuator electrodes causes the beam to deflect into the air gap and to provide an electrical connection between the first and second contacts and their respective first and second electrodes for allowing the input radio frequency signal to one of the first and second electrodes to be output to the other of the first and second electrodes.