Pull-In of an RF MEMS Switch

Application ID: 16379


This model analyzes an RF MEMS switch consisting of a thin micromechanical bridge suspended over a dielectric layer. A DC voltage greater than the pull-in voltage is applied across the switch, causing the bridge to collapse onto the dielectric layer with a resulting increase in the capacitance of the device. A penalty based contact force is implemented to model the contact forces as the bridge comes into contact with the dielectric.

This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products: