RF MEMS MATRICES FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS
S. CATONI, S. DI NARDO, P. FARINELLI, F. GIACOMOZZI, G. MANNOCCHI, R. MARCELLI, B. MARGESIN, P. MEZZANOTTE, V. MULLONI, D. POCHESCI, R. SORRENTINO, F. VITULLI, L. VIETZORRECK

Abstract. RF MEMS Matrices have been implemented within an ESA-ESTEC supported consortium to release the feasibility of sub-elements useful for more complicated structures involving several switches, to be implemented for satellite communications. At this stage, 2 x 2 Matrices have been developed, by using series ohmic switches for I/O interconnections and shunt capacitive switches to improve the isolation response. The realised configurations have been tested in the frequency range (0.045 – 40) GHz. Insertion Losses as low as -1.5 dB and Return Losses around -40 dB have been measured at 20 GHz for the 90 degrees path.