Optical network for actuation of switches in a reconfigurable antenna
US6469677B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q21/0006
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for actuating switches in a reconfigurable antenna array. Micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) switches span gaps between antenna elements disposed on an antenna substrate. An integrated optic waveguide network which directs optical energy towards the MEMS switches is contained in a superstrate disposed above the antenna elements and substrate. The MEMS switches are formed on a semi-insulating substrate. When illuminated, the resistance of the semi-insulating substrate is lowered so as the reduce the resistance between the control contacts. The antenna array is reconfigured by directing optical energy to the photo-voltaic cells connected to selected MEMS switches to close those MEMS switches, thereby electrically connecting selected antenna elements and by directing optical energy to the semi-insulating substrate of selected MEMS switches to open those MEMS switches, thereby electrically disconnecting selected antenna elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.