Description of the Multifunctional MEMS-Reconfigurable Pixel Antenna

The proposed Multifunctional MEMS-Reconfigurable Pixel Antenna (MMRPA) is a highly MEMS-reconfigurable antenna which provides two functionalities: reconfiguration of its modes of radiation and reconfiguration of the operating frequency. The MMRPA works based on the principle that dierent radiation modes and operating frequencies can be excited by changing the dimensions (radius) of a circular patch and the relative location of the feed line within the patch [1]. The proposed MMRPA uses a 13 ◊ 13 matrix of metallic pixels interconnected through MEMS switches in which circular patches of dierent radius are mapped on it. Each metallic pixel has dimensions 1.2 ◊ 1.2 mm and they are separated 2 mm from each other, to provide enough space to allocate the MEMS switches and interconnecting lines. The MEMS switches around each pixel are activated or deactivated depending on the DC voltage that is supplied to these pixels. The DC connectivity is done through bias lines that connect the pixels to the back side of the substrate, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to interconnect two metallic pixels, the voltage dierence among them has to be around 30V. The metallic pixels and the bias lines are connected through RF (Radio Frequency) resistive lines made of Ni-Chrome alloy. These lines are able to stop the RF signals while allowing the DC signal to go through. The MMRPA prototype has been simulated on a Quartz substrate of dimensions 2 ◊ 2 in, and thickness of 1.575 mm. The dielectric constant of Quartz is = 3.78 and tan 0. Despite the complexity of the schematic in Fig. 1, in this paper we present some preliminary simulations of the MMRPA where the MEMS switches in the ON and OFF state have been modeled as ideal metallic connections, and ideal open lines, respectively. The bias system has been omitted in these simulations. Despite these approximations, when the biasing system and a 3D MEMS model is used in the simulations, the operating frequency of the antenna is lowered but the functionalities of the antenna are preserved.