Variable permittivity structure based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorJames C. Lyke
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Abstract
A variable permittivity structure is proposed based on composition of two different dielectrics in a transmission line. The composition is adjusted through a thermally-actuated MEMS structure, and this compositional adjustment alters the relative permittivity at least at a macro level. Adjusting the permittivity leads to tune-able impedances in the associated transmission line. The proposed invention can also be used as a variable capacitor, and it can be used to create variable capacitor, and it can be used to create variable couplers and other structures. Since the approach does not alter any conducting surfaces in the transmission line, it is believed to lead to a superior technique for impedance matching to reduced physical discontinuity.
Claims9
A planar transmission microstrip adjustment process for adjusting electrical characteristics of a planar microstrip transmission line that has a first and second conductor with a gap therebetween, said process comprising:
- a step of adjustably inserting a dielectric into the gap between the first and second conductor to adjustably alter permittivity of the planar transmission microstrip;
- monitoring the permittivity of the planar transmission microstrip;
- and rerunning the inserting and monitoring steps until an optimum performance is achieved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.