This chapter reports the design and optimization algorithm of metal-contact RF microswitch. Various important evolutionary optimization techniques that can be used to optimize non-linear and even non-differentiable types of radio frequency (RF) circuit’s problems are also reviewed. The transient response of the proposed switch shows displacement time (i.e., squeezed-film damping effect) of 5.0 μs and pull-in voltage varying from 9.0 to 9.25 V. Primarily, the switch exhibits insertion loss of 0.15 to 0.51 dB in on-position and isolation of 75.96 to 35.83 dB in off-position at 0.1–10 GHz. Also, the proposed RF switch equivalent circuit and layout are validated in ADS software which was earlier simulated in HFSS. A pattern search (PS) algorithm is used to optimize RF characteristics of the proposed switch after a brief review of the different optimization techniques. After optimization, the switch shows decrement in insertion loss and increment in isolation at 0.1–10 GHz. Further, two such optimized switches are introduced on the defected ground structure (DGS) antenna to make it reconfigurable in terms of frequency. Reconfigurable antenna (RA) is simulated using HFSS software and simulation results are verified by showing the mark of agreement with the fabrication results. The novelty in the proposed design is due to dual-band behavior and better resonance performance than antennas available in the literature. Attractions of proposed RA are its miniaturization and its utility in IEEE US S-(2.0–4.0 GHz) and C-(4.0–8.0 GHz) band.
Part of the book: Modern Antenna Systems