This project utilize a novel MEMS technology that was developed in our research group for the deposition of microelectromechanical switches on standard printed circuit board and laminates substrates (PCB). This new technology will allow us to develop low cost high performance phased array systems for military and commercial communication systems. All the devices are fabricated at UCI in the Integrated Nanoresearch facility (INRF). Our research effort was in the news on December 2003.
This is to the best of our knowledge the first system in the world incorporating antenna and MEMS switches on the same printed circuit board material. Measured scattering parameters (return loss and mutual coupling) of the antenna using MEMS on PCB.
Measured radiation pattern of the antenna using MEMS on PCB.
This research will lead to a new concept for antenna, that we call the Software Defined Antenna (SDA). In the SDA all the most important antenna parameters such as frequency of operation, radiation pattern, sense of polarization and so forth are defined by the software based on system requirements on the fly. Based on this concept the same antenna can be used to serve unlimited number of communication services. This concept is pictorially sketched below.
Some example of MEMS switches fabricated at UCI in the Integrated Nano Research Facility (INRF)