An RF-MEMS-Based Digitally Tunable SIW Filter in X-Band for Communication Satellite Applications

• Published in: Applied sciences Vol. 9; no. 9; p. 1838
• Main Authors: El Mostrah, Abbas, Muller, Andrei, Favennec, Jean-François, Potelon, Benjamin, Manchec, Alexandre, Rius, Eric, Quendo, Cédric, Clavet, Yann, Doukhan, Francis, Le Nezet, Johann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-05-2019; Multidisciplinary digital publishing institute (MDPI)
• Subjects: bandpass tunable filter; Bandwidths; Communication; Communication satellites; Conflicts of interest; Diodes; Electronics; Engineering Sciences; Frequency shift; Mechanical systems; Microelectromechanical systems; Power consumption; Radio frequency; RF-MEMS; Satellites; substrate integrated waveguide SIW; Superhigh frequencies; Transistors; Wire; X-band; France
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app9091838

This paper presents a digitally tunable SIW (substrate integrated waveguide) filter designed for X-band, based on RF-MEMS (radio frequency micro-electrical-mechanical systems) technology. Four commercial off-the-shelf RF-MEMS single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches were directly mounted on the upper surface of the filter, with metallic tuning posts specifically located within each cavity to define the potential achievable frequency range. Fabricated on standard alumina substrate, the design of the filter and the biasing network enabled fine digital frequency control of up to four functional states by the inclusion of wire bondings between each switch and the substrate. A relative tuning range of 2.3% was achieved between the lower and upper discrete states of 2.76% and 2.89% in the 3 dB fractional bandwidths.