RF-MEMS as a Key Enabling Technology of 6G and Future Networks mMIMO Beamforming Architectures

The current and future telecommunication standards are experiencing a constant increase in terms of connected devices, expected communication performances and supported services and networks. The growing concern regarding the sustainability of such infrastructures reflects on their massive Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (mMIMO) access points. Among the passive electronic solutions for their beamforming (BF) architecture, Radio Frequency Micro-Electromechanical Systems (RF-MEMS) represent a viable candidate to realize low-power, miniaturized, and broadband high-performance components and systems. Such potential is outlined in this paper by a Single-Pole-Double-Throw (SPDT) switch, a 3-bit attenuator and three concepts of phase-shifting cells, all relying on low-voltage bias (7 V) and operating in the 5G N258 band (24.25−27.5GHz). The presented devices could find applications in current BF networks, and upon a proper monolithic integration, they could be the building blocks of future high-performance multi-functional passive networks for such applications.