This thesis work builds on the concept of reconfiguring the antenna properties (frequency, polarization, radiation pattern) using Radio Frequency (RF) Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). This is a part of the overall research performed at the RF Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (uNeMS) Laboratory at Utah State University, which includes design, microfabrication, test, and characterization of uNeMS integrated cognitive wireless communication systems (Appendix A). In the first step, a compact and broadband Planar Inverted F Antenna (PIFA) is designed with a goal to accommodate reconfigurability at a later stage. Then, a Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna (FRA) is designed using MEMS switches to switch between the Public Safety (PS) bands, 152-162 MHz and 406-512 MHz, while maintaining the integrity of radiation pattern for each band. Finally, robust mechanical designs of the RF MEMS switches accompanied by different analyses have been performed. These analyses are instrumental in obtaining high yield, reliable, robust microfabrication processes including thin film metal deposition and patterning.

Dual band (K and Ka) electronically scanning reflectarray with RF MEMS switches is designed, implemented and measured. Unit cell of the reflect array is composed of conductor backed split-ring elements. In order to steer the beam, the phase of the incident circularly polarized wave is controlled by RF MEMS switches that modify the angular orientation of split-rings individually. Reflectarray is designed using unit cell approach with periodic boundary conditions. The antenna is fabricated by using surface micromachining process developed in METU MEMS Center. Radiation patterns of the antenna are measured and compared with the simulations. It has been shown that the reflectarray is capable of beam switching to 35&deg / in Ka band, 24&deg / in K band.