Design and optimization of RF MEMS T-type switch for redundancy switch matrix applications

This paper presents a novel approach to monolithically implement a planar multiport radio-frequency (RF) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) T-type switch. T-type switches are used as building blocks for redundancy switch matrix applications in space telecommunication. The T-type switch performs signal routing in three operational states. Two of them are turning states while the other one is a crossover state. The proposed design uses a series metal contact clamped-clamped beam SPST switches, four port cross junctions and a RF crossover. The simulated results for the entire T-type switch demonstrates an insertion loss of -0.46 dB, return loss of better than -15.50dB and isolation better than -17.73dB for all states for a wideband frequency range 0-30GHz. The switch gives excellent RF performance near X-band and Ku-band which is the most widely used frequency range for satellite communication.