A switch mechanism has a compliant buckling bar that includes a single fixed end mounted to a mounting surface and a free end that is displaced with respect to the fixed end. The mounting of the fixed end to the mounting surface may constitute the only fixed connection between the bar and the mounting surface. The bar moves between two stable positions in response to a transition force applied transversely to the free end. Residual stress in the bar may be higher when the free end is at each of the stable positions than when the free end is at a neutral position located between the stable positions.

A microelectromechanical device, in particular a non-volatile memory module or a relay, comprising: a mobile body including a top region and a bottom region; top electrodes facing the top region; and bottom electrodes, facing the bottom region. The mobile body is, in a resting condition, at a distance from the electrodes. The latter can be biased for generating a movement of the mobile body for causing a direct contact of the top region with the top electrodes and, in a different operating condition, a direct contact of the bottom region with the bottom electrodes. In the absence of biasing, molecular-attraction forces maintain in stable mutual contact the top region and the top electrodes or, alternatively, the bottom region and the bottom electrodes.

A microelectromechanical device, in particular a non-volatile memory module or a relay, comprising: a mobile body including a top region and a bottom region; top electrodes facing the top region; and bottom electrodes, facing the bottom region. The mobile body is, in a resting condition, at a distance from the electrodes. The latter can be biased for generating a movement of the mobile body for causing a direct contact of the top region with the top electrodes and, in a different operating condition, a direct contact of the bottom region with the bottom electrodes. In the absence of biasing, molecular-attraction forces maintain in stable mutual contact the top region and the top electrodes or, alternatively, the bottom region and the bottom electrodes.

A microwave switching device comprises: a switching matrix with M inputs and N outputs comprising at least one surface-mount microwave switch with ohmic contacts with at least one input and at least one output position; a control bus for the one or more microwave switches of the switching matrix; a telemetry bus for the M inputs; a telemetry bus for the N outputs; a bias tee positioned on each input of the switching matrix; and a bias tee positioned on each output of the switching matrix.

A relay. The relay includes a housing and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) component having a MEMS switch that can be switched between two stable states. The relay further comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) component which, along with the MEMS component, is arranged in the housing. The ASIC component is configured to control the MEMS switch and/or to monitor a functionality of the MEMS switch.

An microelectromechanical switch uses electrostatic attraction to draw a beam toward a contact and electromagnetic repulsion to disengage and repel the beam from the contact. The electrostatic attraction is generated by a gate electrode. The electromagnetic repulsion is generated between the beam and a magnetic coil positioned on the same side of the beam as the contact. The magnetic coil produces a magnetic field, which induces a current in the beam that repels the magnetic coil. The gate electrode and the magnetic coil may be co-planar or in different planes. A circuit may also operate a coil-shaped structure act as the gate electrode and the magnetic coil, depending on the configuration.

The disclosure provides a micro-electromechanical system switch and a communication device. The micro-electromechanical system switch includes: a substrate; a DC bias line, arranged on one side of the substrate; a first signal transmission line and a second signal transmission line, arranged on the same side of the substrate as the DC bias line; a cantilever beam, arranged on a side, away from the substrate, of a layer on which the first signal transmission line is located; and a fixing structure, arranged on the side, away from the substrate, of the layer on which the first signal transmission line is located and not in contact with the first signal transmission line, where the fixing structure connects the free end and the substrate.

A microwave switching device comprises: a switching matrix with M inputs and N outputs comprising at least one surface-mount microwave switch with ohmic contacts with at least one input and at least one output position; a control bus for the one or more microwave switches of the switching matrix; a telemetry bus for the M inputs; a telemetry bus for the N outputs; a bias tee positioned on each input of the switching matrix; and a bias tee positioned on each output of the switching matrix.

[Object] To be capable of promptly performing a switching operation of a switch. [Solving Means] In a switching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology, a movable electrode includes a first movable electrode piece, a second movable electrode piece, and a movable contact point. A first fixed electrode includes first and second fixed electrode pieces, the first and second fixed electrode pieces facing each other with the first movable electrode piece disposed between the first and second fixed electrode pieces, the first fixed electrode piece facing the first movable electrode piece with a gap narrower than a gap between the second fixed electrode piece and the first movable electrode piece. A second fixed electrode includes third and fourth fixed electrode pieces, the third and fourth fixed electrode pieces facing each other with the second movable electrode piece disposed between the third and fourth fixed electrode pieces, the third fixed electrode piece facing the second movable electrode piece with a gap narrower than a gap between the fourth fixed electrode piece and the second movable electrode piece. A first fixed contact point is in contact with the movable contact point, the movable contact point moving in a first direction by an electrostatic attractive force between the movable electrode and the first fixed electrode. A second fixed contact point is in contact with the movable contact point, the movable contact point moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction by an electrostatic attractive force between the movable electrode and the second fixed electrode.

A microelectromechanical device, in particular a non-volatile memory module or a relay, comprising: a mobile body including a top region and a bottom region; top electrodes facing the top region; and bottom electrodes, facing the bottom region. The mobile body is, in a resting condition, at a distance from the electrodes. The latter can be biased for generating a movement of the mobile body for causing a direct contact of the top region with the top electrodes and, in a different operating condition, a direct contact of the bottom region with the bottom electrodes. In the absence of biasing, molecular-attraction forces maintain in stable mutual contact the top region and the top electrodes or, alternatively, the bottom region and the bottom electrodes.