Abstract:
A MEMS resonator system that reduces interference signals arising from undesired capacitive coupling between different system elements. The system, in one embodiment, includes a MEMS resonator, electrodes, and at least one resonator electrode shield. In certain embodiments, the resonator electrode shield ensures that the resonator electrodes interact with either one or more shunting nodes or the active elements of the MEMS resonator by preventing or reducing, among other things, capacitive coupling between the resonator electrodes and the support and auxiliary elements of the MEMS resonator structure. By reducing the deleterious effects of interfering signals using one or more resonator electrode shields, a simpler, lower interference, and more efficient system relative to prior art approaches is presented.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the present inventions sets forth a method for decreasing a temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of a MEMS resonator. The method comprises lithographically defining slots in the MEMS resonator beams and filling the slots with a compensating material (for example, an oxide) wherein the temperature coefficient of Young's Modulus (TCE) of the compensating material has a sign opposite to a TCE of the material of the resonating element.
Abstract:
A resonant member of a MEMS resonator oscillates in a mechanical resonance mode that produces non-uniform regional stresses such that a first level of mechanical stress in a first region of the resonant member is higher than a second level of mechanical stress in a second region of the resonant member. A plurality of openings within a surface of the resonant member are disposed more densely within the first region than the second region and at least partly filled with a compensating material that reduces temperature dependence of the resonant frequency corresponding to the mechanical resonance mode.
Abstract:
A MEMS resonator includes two resonating masses having an anti-phase and in-phase resonance mode, each mode having a resonance frequency, and an anti-phase resonance levering system coupled to the two resonating masses to stiffen and/or dampen the in-phase resonance mode while leaving the anti-phase resonance mode compliant. This effectively raises the in-phase resonance frequency above the anti-phase resonance frequency, and potentially creates a large frequency separation between the two resonance modes. This reduces the energy transfer between the two modes, allowing for robustness to external acceleration, because the in-phase mode is of a higher frequency. The anti-phase resonance levering system is disposed between the two resonating masses as an internal levering mechanism, or is disposed around the two resonating masses as an external levering mechanism.
Abstract:
There are many inventions described and illustrated herein, as well as many aspects and embodiments of those inventions. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a resonator architecture including a plurality of in-plane vibration microelectromechanical resonators (for example, 2 or 4 resonators) that are mechanically coupled to provide, for example, a differential signal output. In one embodiment, the present invention includes four commonly shaped microelectromechanical tuning fork resonators (for example, tuning fork resonators having two or more rectangular-shaped or square-shaped tines). Each resonator is mechanically coupled to another resonator of the architecture. For example, each resonator of the architecture is mechanically coupled to another one of the resonators on one side or a corner of one of the sides. In this way, all of the resonators, when induced, vibrate at the same frequency.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a resonance device includes preparing a resonance device and adjusting a frequency of the resonator. The resonance device includes a lower lid, an upper lid joined to the lower lid, and a resonator with vibration arms that vibrate in bending vibration in an interior space between the lower and upper lids. The adjusting of the frequency of the resonator includes vibrating the vibration arms in bending vibration and thereby causing respective ends of the arms to strike the lower lid at an impact speed of 3.5×103 μm/sec or more. The ends of the vibration arms are made of silicon oxide, and the lower lid is made of silicon.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator includes a resonant semiconductor structure, drive electrode, sense electrode and electrically conductive shielding structure. The first drive electrode generates a time-varying electrostatic force that causes the resonant semiconductor structure to resonate mechanically, and the first sense electrode generates a timing signal in response to the mechanical resonance of the resonant semiconductor structure. The electrically conductive shielding structure is disposed between the first drive electrode and the first sense electrode to shield the first sense electrode from electric field lines emanating from the first drive electrode.
Abstract:
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator includes a resonant semiconductor structure, drive electrode, sense electrode and electrically conductive shielding structure. The first drive electrode generates a time-varying electrostatic force that causes the resonant semiconductor structure to resonate mechanically, and the first sense electrode generates a timing signal in response to the mechanical resonance of the resonant semiconductor structure. The electrically conductive shielding structure is disposed between the first drive electrode and the first sense electrode to shield the first sense electrode from electric field lines emanating from the first drive electrode.
Abstract:
A MEMS resonator system that reduces interference signals arising from undesired capacitive coupling between different system elements. The system, in one embodiment, includes a MEMS resonator, electrodes, and at least one resonator electrode shield. In certain embodiments, the resonator electrode shield ensures that the resonator electrodes interact with either one or more shunting nodes or the active elements of the MEMS resonator by preventing or reducing, among other things, capacitive coupling between the resonator electrodes and the support and auxiliary elements of the MEMS resonator structure. By reducing the deleterious effects of interfering signals using one or more resonator electrode shields, a simpler, lower interference, and more efficient system relative to prior art approaches is presented.
Abstract:
A packaged capacitive MEMS sensor device includes at least one capacitive MEMS sensor element with at least one capacitive MEMS sensor cell including a first substrate having a thick and a thin dielectric region. A second substrate with a membrane layer is bonded to the thick dielectric region and over the thin dielectric region to provide a MEMS cavity. The membrane layer provides a fixed electrode and a released MEMS electrode over the MEMS cavity. A first through-substrate via (TSV) extends through a top side of the MEMS electrode and a second TSV through a top side of the fixed electrode. A metal cap is on top of the first TSV and second TSV. A third substrate including an inner cavity and outer protruding portions framing the inner cavity is bonded to the thick dielectric regions. The third substrate together with the first substrate seals the MEMS electrode.