MEMS controlled oscillator
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- an array of microelectromechanical resonators having a variety of resonant frequencies, each resonator having an actuator that causes the resonator to resonate at their resonant frequency; and
an antenna coupled to the array.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An array of micromechanical oscillators have different resonant frequencies based on their geometries. In one embodiment, a micromechanical oscillator has a resonant frequency defined by an effective spring constant that is modified by application of heat. In one embodiment, the oscillator is disc of material supported by a pillar of much smaller diameter than the disc. The periphery of the disc is heated to modify the resonant frequency (or equivalently the spring constant or stiffness) of the disc. Continuous control of the output phase and frequency may be achieved when the oscillator becomes synchronized with an imposed sinusoidal force of close frequency. The oscillator frequency can be detuned to produce an easily controlled phase differential between the injected signal and the oscillator feedback. A phased array radar may be produced using independent phase controllable oscillators.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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an array of microelectromechanical resonators having a variety of resonant frequencies, each resonator having an actuator that causes the resonator to resonate at their resonant frequency; and
an antenna coupled to the array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A device comprising:
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an array of microelectromechanical resonators having different resonant frequencies within a desired range of frequencies;
a resistive heater coupled to each resonator to cause the resonators to resonate; and
an antenna coupled to the resonators. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A device comprising:
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an array of microelectromechanical resonators having different resonant frequencies within a desired range of frequencies;
an actuator associated with each resonator to cause the resonators to resonate; and
a detector associated with each resonator to detect the frequency of resonation of the associated resonators. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of producing an array of resonators having different resonant frequencies within a desired range of frequencies, the method comprising:
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patterning a variety of resonator geometries calculated to provide the desired range of resonant frequencies; and
etching to release the resonators.
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Specification