MEMS analog frequency divider
US6605849B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03H2009/02511
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides an analog frequency divider structure that receives an input signal at a selected frequency and generates an output signal at a fraction, e.g. one-half, of the input frequency. In one embodiment, the analog frequency divider structure is implemented as a MEMS device having a vibratory beam extending along a longitudinal axis between two fixed ends and a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the beam. The MEMS structure further includes a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of the vibratory beam, which is capacitively coupled to a conductive electrode. A longitudinal excitation of the piezoelectric transducer can effect application of a periodic longitudinal deformation force to the vibratory beam. This deformation force causes the beam to vibrate in a transverse direction at its natural transverse vibrational frequency, which is selected to be a fraction of the input frequency. The conductive electrode capacitively couples to this transverse vibration to generate an output electrical signal at the transverse vibrational frequency.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.