Electromechanical switching for circuits constructed with flexible materials
US6633260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 14, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/38
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for providing a configurable circuit are disclosed. In addition, method and apparatus for providing a phased array antenna having an integrated configurable circuit are provided. According to the present invention, at least a first component of a configurable circuit is formed on a first substrate. At least a second component of a configurable circuit is formed on at least a portion of a moveable cantilever formed from a second substrate. The first and second substrates are registered with one another to form a completed configurable circuit. According to the present invention, a configurable circuit may comprise a variable capacitor or a switch. In addition, a configurable circuit may be used in connection with phase shifting a radio frequency signal provided to an element of a phased array antenna. Antennas having integrated configurable circuits may be formed by registering and interconnecting a completed configurable circuit with a plurality of radiator elements, and with a feed network. The present invention also allows antennas with integrated configurable circuits having relatively large surface areas to be economically produced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.