METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AN ANTENNA ARRAY

摘要

A method and apparatus for reconfiguring an antenna array by optical control of MEMSswitches. A light source is provided to direct light to individual optically sensitive elementswhich control delivery of actuating bias voltage to the MEMS switches. The light source is preferably separated from the antenna array by a structure which conducts the controllingillumination but provides a high impedance electromagnetically reflective surface which reflectselectromagnetic radiation over the antenna operating frequency range with small phase shift, and which is disposed very close to the antenna arrray. Optically sensitive elements preferablyinclude photoresistive elements, which are best formed in the substrate upon which the MEMS switches are formed, and may include photovoltaic elements.