Design of MEMS reconfigurable patch antennas via a planar model approach

This paper introduces a novel technique which allows for representing MEMS switches on planar structures by a simple switchable lumped-element equivalent circuit, connected to a time-invariant planar structure, with almost no constraint on the geometry of the planar environment. Distinguishing features of this technique are the possibility of reusing the same equivalent circuit when the geometry of the embedding planar structure is varied, and the possibility of modelling this structure by fast two-dimensional EM simulators. In the design of reconfigurable planar antennas these features allow for a dramatic speed-up in the search of optimized design solutions.