Abstract
RF-MEMS, i.e. microelectromechanical-systems for radio frequency passives, have been around for about two decades. Across a remarkable haul of 20 years, looking at RF-MEMS from the market perspective, disappointments seem to overweight success cases. Nevertheless, full deployment of such a technology has still to come, and future mobile (5G) standards might be the perfect ground for such a potential to manifest. The target of this short article is to trace the current state of RF-MEMS market and to build some considerations on future scenarios, based upon the legacy trail of ups and downs.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allan R (2013) RF MEMS switches are primed for mass-market applications. http://www.mwrf.com/active-components/rf-mems-switches-are-primed-mass-market-applications. Accessed 22 Nov 2017
Cavendish Kinetics (2017) News releases. http://www.cavendish-kinetics.com/news/news-releases/. Accessed 22 Nov 2017
Gammel P, Pehlke DR, Brunel D, Kovacic SJ, Walsh K (2017) 5G in perspective: a pragmatic guide to what’s next. http://www.skyworksinc.com/downloads/literature/Skyworks-5G%20White-Paper.pdf. Accessed 22 Nov 2017
Gartner Hype Cycle (2017). https://www.gartner.com/technology/research/methodologies/hype-cycle.jsp. Accessed 22 Nov 2017
Iannacci J (2013) Practical guide to RF-MEMS. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim
Iannacci J (2015a) RF-MEMS: an enabling technology for modern wireless systems bearing a market potential still not fully displayed. Springer Microsyst Technol 21:2039–2052. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-015-2665-6
Iannacci J (2015b) Reliability of MEMS: a perspective on failure mechanisms, improvement solutions and best practices at development level. Elsevier Disp 37:62–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.displa.2014.08.003
Iannacci J (2017) RF-MEMS technology for high-performance passives: the challenge of 5G mobile applications. IOP Publishing, Bristol. https://doi.org/10.1088/978-0-7503-1545-6
Iannacci J, Tschoban C (2017) RF-MEMS for future mobile applications: experimental verification of a reconfigurable 8-bit power attenuator up to 110 GHz. J Micromech Microeng (IOP-JMM) 27:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6439/aa5f2c
Iannacci J, Faes A, Mastri F, Masotti D, Rizzoli V (2010) A MEMS-based wide-band multi-state power attenuator for radio frequency and microwave applications. In: Proceedings of the 2010 NSTI nanotechnology conference and expo, vol 2, pp 328–331
Iannacci J, Repchankova A, Faes A, Tazzoli A, Meneghesso G, Dalla Betta G-F (2010b) Enhancement of RF-MEMS switch reliability through an active anti-stiction heat-based mechanism. Elsevier Microelectron Reliab 50:1599–1603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microrel.2010.07.108
Iannacci J, Huhn M, Tschoban C, Potter H (2016) RF-MEMS technology for 5G: series and shunt attenuator modules demonstrated up to 110 GHz. IEEE Electron Device Lett 37:1336–1339. https://doi.org/10.1109/LED.2016.2604426
IHS iSuppli (2012) teardown analysis service identifies first use of RF MEMS part, set to be next big thing in cellphone radios. http://news.ihsmarkit.com/press-release/design-supply-chain/ihs-isuppli-teardown-analysis-service-identifies-first-use-rf-mems. Accessed 22 Nov 2017
Morra J (2017) Chip makers build fortunes from RF MEMS. http://www.mwrf.com/semiconductors/chip-makers-build-fortunes-rf-mems?NL=MWRF-001&Issue=MWRF-001_20170601_MWRF-001_724&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_1&utm_rid=CPG05000006522536&utm_campaign=11360&utm_medium=email&elq2=ceb10e54a8c5428886d074fe32a536dc. Accessed 22 Nov 2017
Nguyen CT-C (2001) Transceiver front-end architectures using vibrating micromechanical signal processors. In: Topical meeting on silicon monolithic integrated circuits in RF systems, pp 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1109/smic.2001.942335
Xiang W, Zheng K, Shen XS (eds) (2017) 5G mobile communications. Springer, Berlin. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-34208-5
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Iannacci, J. Surfing the hype curve of RF-MEMS passive components: towards the 5th generation (5G) of mobile networks. Microsyst Technol 24, 3227–3231 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-018-3718-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-018-3718-4