MEMS-based switching systems

摘要

A device (500) for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry (901), a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch (511) in communication with the control circuitry (901), the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit (508) disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch (511) to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion (521), and a variable resistance (534) arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy.