Mixed-technology combination of programmable elements
AssigneeWispry, Inc.
InventorArthur S. Morris, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for arranging and controlling programmable combinations of tuning elements in which more than one form of switching technology is combined in a single array. Specifically, such an array can include one or more first switchable elements including a first switching technology (e.g., one or more solid-state-controlled devices) and one or more second switchable elements including a second switching technology that is different than the first switching technology (e.g., one or more micro-electro-mechanical capacitors). The one or more first switchable elements and the one or more second switchable elements can be configured, however, to deliver a combined variable reactance.
Claims18
A programmable combination of tuning elements comprising:
- one or more first elements configured to deliver a first variable reactance, the one or more first elements comprising one or more switches coupled to one or more fixed-state capacitors;
- and
- one or more second elements configured to deliver a second variable reactance, the one or more second elements comprising one or more variable capacitors, wherein each of the one or more second elements comprises at least a first capacitive electrode that is movable with respect to a second capacitive electrode to change a capacitance between the first capacitive electrode and the second capacitive electrode;
- wherein the first variable reactance of the one or more first elements and the second variable reactance of the one or more second elements deliver a combined variable reactance.
A method for producing a programmable combination of tuning elements, the method comprising:
- producing one or more first elements configured to deliver a first variable reactance, the one or more first elements comprising one or more switches coupled to one or more fixed-state capacitors;
- and
- mounting one or more second elements on top of, below, or beside the one or more first elements, the one or more second elements configured to deliver a second variable reactance, the one or more second elements comprising one or more variable capacitors, wherein each of the one or more second elements comprises at least a first capacitive electrode that is movable with respect to a second capacitive electrode to change a capacitance between the first capacitive electrode and the second capacitive electrode;
- wherein the first variable reactance of the one or more first elements and the second variable reactance of the one or more second elements deliver a combined variable reactance.
A method for producing a programmable combination of tuning elements, the method comprising:
- producing one or more first elements configured to deliver a first variable reactance and one or more second elements configured to deliver a second variable reactance in a single monolithic semiconductor die;
- wherein the one or more first elements comprises one or more switches coupled to one or more fixed-state capacitors;
- wherein the one or more second elements comprises one or more variable capacitors, wherein each of the one or more second elements comprises at least a first capacitive electrode that is movable with respect to a second capacitive electrode to change a capacitance between the first capacitive electrode and the second capacitive electrode;
- wherein the first variable reactance of the one or more first elements and the second variable reactance of the one or more second elements deliver a combined variable reactance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.