Tunable, Low Mass, Low Loss, Millimeter Wave, MEMS RF Filters

XCom Wireless is a developer of RF MEMS for tunable filters and phased array antennas, high-performance circuitry identified as critical technologies for the next generations of defense and commercial RF electronics. In this program, XCom is partnering with Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems (LMTS) to extend the capabilities of RF MEMS by incorporating them as critical elements in novel ultra-compact tunable filters for use in next-generation communications systems. The performance requirements of the filters pursued in this program will support the future needs of the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA). Specifically, LMTS will coordinate XCom MEMS and filter development towards the needs of the Global Information Grid - Bandwidth Expansion (GIG-BE) communications and their ability to establish and maintain microwave and millimeter-wave links to airborne and mobile platforms. In prior efforts, XCom has identified two tunable filter architectures that take advantage of our MEMS characteristics, and provide high tunability with good quality factor to microwave frequencies. These filter designs will compare the XCom hybrid flip-chip MEMS (quick development time at low cost) to a monolithically integrated approach (longer time and cost) to determine which MEMS integration scheme is most appropriate to pursue in Phase II for the selected TCA applications.