A 3-bit RF-MEMS aperture tunable PIFA antenna

This paper presents simulation, fabrication and measurement of a small aperture tunable planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). The proposed PIFA antenna uses RF MEMS switches to modify the electrical length and the behavior of the antenna. Measurements show a tuning range from 1.34 GHz to 0.99 GHz depending on the state of the MEMS switches. Matching better than -9 dB down to -16 dB was obtained over the entire tuning range. The antenna has also been tested versus power handling, through an original ACPR measurement setup, showing excellent linearity up to 20 dBm input power.