Optically controlled RF MEMS switch array for reconfigurable broadband reflective antennas

A reconfigurable antenna array comprising:

• an array of antenna subelements;
• a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches selectably connecting adjacent antenna subelements;
• a plurality of optically sensitive elements, each optically sensitive element controlling a corresponding MEMS switch;
• a matrix of optical power controlling elements selectably illuminating each optically sensitive element;
• and
• an optical transmission layer, wherein the matrix of optical power controlling elements direct optical power to enter a transmissive region of the optical transmission layer on a first side thereof, and wherein the plurality of optically sensitive elements are on a second side of the optical transmission layer.

A method for optically controlling an electromagnetic configuration of an antenna array element comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of electrically-actuated mechanical switches for connecting sub-elements of the antenna array;
• providing at least one optically sensitive electric control element to control actuation of at least one corresponding switch of the plurality of mechanical switches;
• providing a high-impedance electromagnetically reflective structure having regions which are optically transmissive from a first side of the reflective structure to a second side of the reflective structure;
• disposing the antenna array element in a predetermined position on the first side of the reflective structure;
• disposing a source of selectably controllable optical energy on the second side of the reflective structure;
• selectively controlling the optical energy to illuminate a particular optically sensitive control element through a transmissive region of the reflective structure, thereby changing a position of a corresponding switch to change the configuration of the antenna array element.

A reconfigurable antenna array comprising:

• an array of antenna subelements;
• a plurality of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches selectably connecting adjacent antenna subelements;
• an optically sensitive element to selectably control each of the MEMS switches;
• a matrix of optical power controlling elements to cause selective illumination of the optically sensitive element corresponding to each MEM switch so as to change an electromagnetic configuration of the antenna array;
• and
• a high impedance electromagnetically reflective layer, wherein the matrix of optical power controlling elements control optical power to enter a transmissive region of the reflective layer on a first side thereof, and wherein the optically sensitive elements are on a second side of the reflective layer.