| This thesis work builds on the concept of reconfiguring the antenna properties (frequency, polarization, radiation pattern) using Radio Frequency (RF) Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). This is a part of the overall research performed at the RF Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (microNepsilonMS) Laboratory at Utah State University, which includes design, microfabrication, test, and characterization of microNepsilonMS integrated cognitive wireless communication systems (Appendix A).;In the first step, a compact and broadband Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) is designed with a goal to accommodate reconfigurability at a later stage. Then, a Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna (FRA) is designed using MEMS switches to switch between the Public Safety (PS) bands, 152--162 MHz and 406--512 MHz, while maintaining the integrity of radiation pattern for each band. Finally, robust mechanical designs of the RF MEMS switches accompanied by different analyses have been performed. These analyses are instrumental in obtaining high yield, reliable, robust microfabrication processes including thin film metal deposition and patterning. |
