Patent ID: 7466215

Claim:
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch, comprising: a radio-frequency (RF)-input transmission line formed on a substrate; an RF-output transmission line formed on the substrate; an RF armature connected by an RF anchor with the substrate, the RF armature being electrically connected with the RF-output transmission line; a contact electrically connected with the RF-input transmission line and formed such that it is proximate the RF armature, the contact and the RF armature being formed such that when the MEMS switch is in an open position, a gap exists between the RF armature and the contact; a bias-input signal line formed on the substrate; a bias-output signal line formed on the substrate; a bias armature connected by a bias anchor to the substrate, the bias armature being electrically connected with the bias-input signal line and being formed such that when the MEMS switch is in an open position, a gap exists between the bias armature and the bias-output signal line; and a direct current (DC)/RF isolation insulator connecting the bias armature with the RF armature, whereby when an electrical charge is introduced to the bias-input signal line, the bias armature is forced toward the bias-output signal line, thereby forcing the RF armature to connect with the contact and form an electrical circuit between the RF-input transmission line and the RF-output transmission line.