Patent ID: 8847087

Claim:
A MEMS switch comprising: a movable electrode, a signal electrode which is separated from and opposed to the movable electrode, and a counter electrode which is separated from and opposed to the movable electrode, wherein, the movable electrode is configured to move and make electrical contact with the signal electrode due to an electrostatic force generated between the movable electrode and the counter electrode, one of the movable electrode and the counter electrode is divided into two or more electrically-separate electrodes and is configured to receive electrical voltage which generates the electrostatic force between the movable electrode and the counter electrode, the electrical voltage is applied to the respective electrically-separate electrodes with a time difference, and the electrically-separate electrodes are disposed symmetrically about the signal electrode wherein the electrical voltage applied to the electrically-separate electrodes with the time difference includes a first voltage applied to the first one of the electrically-separate electrodes and a second voltage different than the first voltage applied to the second one of the electrically-separate electrodes.