Microelectromechanical RF and microwave frequency power limiter and electrostatic device protection
US6504447B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jan 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H59/0009
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a flexible mechanical bridge over a microstrip on a substrate, which utilizes an electromagnetic field increase, as generated by temporary power surge to shunt harmful power away from a MMIC system. The invention includes a power limiter which includes an airbridge 11, preferably in the form of an electrically conductive strip with ground contacts 1 and 3 formed thereon. The ground contacts 1 and 2 are electrically connected, through via holes 5 and 7 respectively, to a metallization layer 15 formed on the bottom side of a substrate 9. The air bridge 11 is designed such that it traverses an electrically conductive microstrip 13 forming an air gap 16 between the air bridge 11 and the electrically conductive microstrip 13. When there is a power surge the air bridge 11, will flex to cause an electrical connection with the microstrip 13, thereby directing the unwanted signal through the ground contacts 1 and 3 and the via holes 5 and 7 to the metallization layer 15.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.