Abstract: An electronic device, such as a filter or phase shifter, for example, includes a substrate, and a MEMS capacitor on the substrate and having a plurality of selectable capacitance values. The MEMS capacitor preferably includes a lower capacitor electrode on the substrate, and a movable bridge including end portions connected to the substrate laterally adjacent the lower capacitor electrode. The movable bridge may also include a conductive medial portion between the end portions defining an upper capacitor electrode suspended above the lower capacitor electrode and being movable between an upper position and a lower position by an electrostatic force generated between the capacitor electrodes. The upper and lower positions provide respective low and high selectable capacitance values.

Abstract: A waveguide structure and a method of forming a waveguide structure is disclosed. The waveguide structure includes at least three dielectric layers juxtapositioned together such that two layers are positioned as outer layers. At least two intermediate signal path layers are positioned between respective dielectric layers. The outer dielectric layers each include a ground layer to form opposing ground planes. A controlled impedance signal track is formed at each intermediate signal path layer and a plurality of conductive vias interconnect the ground planes.

Abstract: A waveguide structure and associated method for forming the waveguide structure is disclosed. The waveguide structure is formed from at least two dielectric layers having opposing, substantially planar faces and an intermediate signal path layer positioned between the faces. A conductive layer is formed on each of the opposing, substantially planar faces to form outer ground planes. At least one controlled impedance signal track is formed at the intermediate signal path layer. A plurality of conductive vias extend through the dielectric layers and interconnect the ground planes. The vias form a "sea" of vias, which provide enhanced waveguide mode rejection. A plurality of grounding lines interconnect the vias at the intermediate signal path layer. A conductive via is connected to all adjacent conductive vias outside the controlled impedance signal track to form an inner grounding line grid that is coplanar with the controlled impedance signal track for waveguide mode rejection.

Abstract: An optical device and method for sensing a plurality of ambient conditions (e.g., temperature and pressure) may include transmission of an optical flux through a fiber optic cable to a section of the cable that is placed where the ambient conditions are to be sensed. The section of cable includes a plurality of serially aligned sensors for reflecting the optical flux back through the cable, each of the sensors having semi-reflective surfaces at the two ends thereof for partially reflecting the optical flux. The distance between the two ends of each sensor varies primarily as a function of a different one of the ambient conditions. The optical flux is partially transmitted and partially reflected at each of the ends of the sensors and the optical flux reflected back through the cable includes an interference pattern that is a function of each sensor's end-to-end distance. A detector evaluates the interference pattern to determine the ambient conditions.

Abstract: A sealed semiconductor unit includes an electrical component within a defined area on a semiconductor material. A cover with the dimensions of the semiconductor defined area is placed over the semiconductor material with a sealant there between. The dimensions of the cover are aligned with the dimensions of the semiconductor. The sealed unit includes electrical contacts extending from outside the sealed unit to the electrical component within the sealed unit on the semiconductor material. The sealed semiconductor unit, including the cover, the semiconductor material, and the electrical component, has an area of the semiconductor material.