MEMS variable capacitance devices utilizing the substrate: I. Novel devices with a customizable tuning range

Amro M. Elshurafa, Ezz I. El-Masry

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    6 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    This paper, the first in a series of two, presents a paradigm shift in the design of MEMS parallel plate PolyMUMPS variable capacitance devices by proposing two structures that utilize the substrate and are able to provide predetermined, customizable, tuning ranges and/or ratios. The proposed structures can provide theoretical tuning ranges anywhere from 4.9 to 35 and from 3.4 to 26 respectively with a simple, yet effective, layout modification as opposed to the previously reported devices where the tuning range is fixed and cannot be varied. Theoretical analysis is carried out and verified with measurements of fabricated devices. The first proposed device possessed initially a tuning range of 4.4. Two variations of the structure having tuning ranges of 3 and 3.4, all at 1 GHz, were also successfully developed and tested. The second proposed variable capacitance device behaved as a switch. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd.
    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)045027
    JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
    Volume20
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Mar 22 2010

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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