VHF high‐power tunable RF bandpass filter using microelectromechanical (MEM) microrelays

A VHF RF bandpass filter tuned through the use of MEM microrelays was operated at a 25 W RF power input level. The filter insertion loss was less than 1 dB at the tuned frequencies of operation, and the filter operating Q was about 10. The MEM microrelays were life tested for 53 million operating cycles at 25 W RF power, and no significant degradation to the contacts was noted. The development of the microrelay and the use of a CAE tool in the filter development are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 11: 261–275, 2001.

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