Patent ID: 8890543
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: H01G,H03J

Abstract:
1. A MEMS tunable capacitor comprising: first and second opposing capacitor electrodes, wherein the second capacitor electrode is movable by a MEMS switch to vary spacing between the first and second opposing capacitor electrodes the capacitor dielectric spacing, and thereby tune the capacitance; a third electrode facing the movable second electrode; and a tunable dielectric material and a non-tunable dielectric material in series between the second and third electrodes, wherein the tunable dielectric material occupies a first dimension of the spacing, and the non-tunable dielectric material occupies a second dimension of the spacing, the third electrode being configured and arranged to electrically control the tunable dielectric material, wherein the second capacitor electrode is configured and arranged to vary spacing in response to a first applied voltage for a first continuous range of adjustment of the capacitance of the MEMS capacitor and wherein the tunable dielectric material is configured and arranged to be tuned, via the third electrode, in response to a second applied voltage, for a second continuous range of adjustment of the capacitance of the MEMS capacitor, thereby to provide a continuous analogue range of adjustment including the first and second ranges.