Patent ID: 6452465
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: H01P

Abstract:
A tunable resonator for use in filtering radio frequency electromagnetic signals, which resonator is comprised of:a microstrip conductor fabricated on a dielectric substrate; a microelectromechanical bridge that spans the microstrip conductor, the bridge assuming either a resting state in which the bridge is not coupled to the microstrip, or a collapsed state in which the bridge is coupled to the microstrip; a bias circuit connected to the microelectromechanical bridge that can impose an electrostatic potential differential between the bridge and the microstrip to cause the bridge to enter its collapsed state; an open radial stub connected to the bridge, such that the stub is coupled to the microstrip when the bridge is in the collapsed state, and the stub is not coupled to the microstrip when the bridge is in the resting state; whereby the frequency to which the resonator is tuned is determined by the state of the microelectromechanical bridge.