MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL INDUCTIVE SWITCH

摘要

A micro-electromechanical (MEM) switch capable of inductively coupling and decoupling electrical signals is described. The inductive MEM switch consists of a first plurality of coils (20, 30) on a moveable platform (15) and a second plurality of coils (40, 50) on a stationary platform or substrate, the coils on the moveable platform being above or below those in the stationary substrate. Coupling and decoupling occurs by rotating or by laterally displacing the coils of the moveable platform with respect to the coils on the stationary substrate. Diverse arrangements or coils respectively on the moveable and stationary substrates allow for a multi-pole and multi-position switching configurations. The MEM switches described eliminate problems of stiction, arcing and welding of the switch contacts. The MEMS switches of the invention can be fabricated using standard CMOS techniques.