There has been much discussion about RF applications in the MEMS industry circles. While most of the comments and input so far has been from RF MEMS manufacturers, we thought that getting some feedback from a potential RF MEMS customer, Motorola, is important as well. We recently spoke with Tom Walczak, Senior Director of the Radio Systems Group, Mobile Devices Technology Office, and Joel Clark, Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff, about RF and other MEMS applications.
MEMS Investor Journal: RF MEMS have been proposed as potential replacement for currently used RF components in cell phones. Has Motorola considered RF MEMS? What are your thoughts on the potential benefits and drawbacks of using RF MEMS in cell phones?
Tom Walczak: We think that there are huge potential advantages to RF MEMS and have been actively pursuing RF MEMS for use in our products for a few years. MEMS switches have the potential to increase linearity, lower insertion loss, and improve isolation. As a new technology, they have been slow to reach commercial viability due to the manufacturing techniques needed to produce them, packaging issues, and cost. We believe that MEMS RF switching technologies are now nearly ready for use in our products and we are working closely with key partners in the industry to get them into our supply chain.
MEMS Investor Journal: Another possible replacement component has been the MEMS-based microphone. What are you thoughts on MEMS-based microphones as compared to traditional technology?
Joel Clark: MEMS based microphones have offered a size advantage as well as increased reliability on the physical connection. It is a technology that is already beginning to displace current electric microphone technology. Right now it is used on our RAZR V3 and will be used on many more of our products in 2005-2006 and beyond.
MEMS Investor Journal: Qualcomm bought Iridigm Display Corporation in 2004 for enhanced display technology based on MEMS. What are your thoughts on this technology? Is Motorola planning to have something similar for its displays as well?
We are exploring MEMS display technology but we can not share any details at this time.
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