Ultra-low voltage capable zipper switch

A method of operating an electromechanical switch, comprising:

• propagating an radio frequency (“RE”) signal along an input signal line;
• applying an actuation voltage, between an actuation electrode and a cantilever electrode suspended above the actuation electrode by an anchor, to bend the cantilever electrode toward the actuation electrode with a zipper like movement starting from a distal end of the cantilever electrode and moving towards the anchor, wherein the actuation voltage is less than approximately 8V;
• close circuiting the input signal line with an output signal line through a contact mounted to the actuation electrode while the actuation voltage is applied;
• and
• propagating the RF signal from the input signal line through the contact to the output signal line.

A wireless device, comprising:

• an amplifier;
• an antenna;
• and
• a micro-electromechanical system (“MEMS”) switch including:
• an actuation electrode mounted to a substrate;
• an anchor mounted to the substrate;
• a cantilever electrode supported by the anchor above the actuation electrode;
• a contact mounted to the cantilever electrode between the anchor and a center of the cantilever electrode, the contact protruding below the cantilever electrode;
• an input signal line mounted to the substrate and coupled to the antenna;
• and
• an output signal line mounted to the substrate and coupled to the amplifier, the input and output signal lines positioned to form a closed circuit with the contact when an actuation voltage is applied between the actuation electrode and the cantilever electrode causing the cantilever electrode to bend towards the actuation electrode in a zipper like movement starting from a distal end of the cantilever electrode.