Tronics, a designer and manufacturer of innovative nano and microsystems, and Airbus have announced a partnership for the development of capacitive MEMS-based RF switches and circuits. Under this agreement, Tronics will accesses the Airbus patent portfolio through an exclusive license for the development of a breakthrough technology platform for RF-MEMS switches. This platform will serve Airbus Group business units, as well as any other company wishing to manufacture nPnT switches or custom circuits, such as tunable filters, switch matrices and switched delay lines.
RF-MEMS constitute a promising technology for a large array of industrial applications such as test and instrumentation, 5th generation (5G) communication infrastructures, satellite communications and radar systems. The capacitive RF-MEMS technology platform developed by Tronics and Airbus, will enable the manufacturing of higher frequency switches and circuits, offering high linearity and wide band coverage with high power handling capabilities. This approach enables innovative, miniaturized, lightweight, and more efficient system architectures, improving sensing capabilities for secure and reliable communications.
Tronics has been collaborating with Airbus Group since 2012 to transfer their switch design to its Grenoble facility and integrate the high level of requirements into its hermetic wafer level packaging (WLP) solutions with integrated metal Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). This close collaboration has clearly demonstrated the feasibility and functionality of the integrated devices, and now enters its second phase in order to further improve the performances and maturity of the technology.
