NEMSMART

Development of High-Performance and High-Reliability NEMS Switches for Smart Antenna Structures

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This project focuses on the development of high-reliability low-contact force DC-contact, i.e., metal-to-metal contact RF-NEMS (Radio Frequency Nanoelectromechanical System) switches, which are the main building blocks of key enabling component of the next-generation cognitive wireless communications systems, i.e. the interface between the transceiver and the free space; namely NEMS-integrated multifunctional reconfigurable antenna (MRA). An MRA combines multiple functions into a single antenna with the capability of dynamically altering its radiation, polarization, and frequency characteristics. The reconfigurability in performance properties is achieved by morphing the physical structure of the MRA through DC-contact RF-NEMS switches. The major objective of this project is to significantly improve the reliability of DC-contact RF-NEMS switches with high RF-power handling capabilities. To this end, we will optimize the mechanical switch design using novel architectures, investigate different electric contact metallurgies, employ nanoparticle-based lubricants, and develop new nanofabrication processes optimized for avoiding two primary failure mechanisms: stiction and increased contact resistance. The targeted actuation voltage and the switching speed are less than 10 Volts and faster than 100 nano-seconds, respectively. Hot-switched life cycle tests for various RF-power levels will be performed, with the goal of achieving more than 108 hot-switched cycles at 1-Watt RF-power. The proposed high-reliability NEMS switches, once successfully developed, can be easily integrated into antenna architectures to realize MRAs, thereby resulting a major breakthrough in antenna design and implementation since the invention of legacy antennas by Marconi and Hertz.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Nano-electromechanical (NEM) switch technology could change the future of wireless communications. EU-funded scientists designed NEM switches that could find application in reconfigurable antennas.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Given their high potential, NEM switches are attractive building blocks for next-generation cognitive wireless communication systems. However, fabrication challenges associated with sub-micron lithography systems and processing equipment have prevented their widespread use.

In the EU-funded project 'Development of high-performance and high-reliability NEMS switches for smart antenna structures' (NEMSMART), scientists found a way to improve the reliability of NEM switching performance. Research was geared towards two alternative radiofrequency switch technologies. These included microfluidic switches based on liquid metals and switches based on smart materials.

Based on the wetting-on-dielectric method, the microfluidic approach had limited success, with liquid-metal droplets undergoing oxidation and leaving metallic residues. As such, scientists investigated the use of smart materials as switching components, which did not involve stiction or contamination.

These included ferroelectric and phase-change materials. Although the former exhibited a tuneable dielectric coefficient, the latter showed resistance tenability due to the amorphous-to-crystalline material state transition. The NEM switch ON-OFF ratio was much smaller compared to its micro-electromechanical and microfluidic system counterparts; however, this switching scheme did not involve any fragile parts.

Once successfully developed, the proposed high-reliability NEM switches based on smart materials could be easily integrated into antenna architectures to realise multifunctional reconfigurable antennas. NEMSMART thus paved the way for major breakthroughs in antenna design and implementation since the invention of legacy antennas.