Patent ID: 7705699

Claim:
A wireless device, comprising: an antenna; a transmitter; a receiver; and a switching arrangement comprising a fist micro-electro-mechanical systems switch for selectively coupling said antenna to said transmitter and a second micro-electro-mechanical systems switch for selectively coupling said antenna to said receiver, the switches comprising: a first electrode having a first contact disposed thereon; a layer comprising a support beam having a portion operably attached to said first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to said support beam and distal from said attached portion, and a contact beam adjacent to said second electrode and distal from said support beam, wherein said support beam has a low spring constants, said contact beam has a high spring constant, and said second electrode is rigid relative to the support beam and the contact beam; and a second contact disposed on said layer, wherein application of an activation voltage between said electrodes causes a contact force between said contacts.