Sensing of mirror position in an optical switch
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A MEMS device, comprising:
- a stationary part; and
a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part, wherein;
the stationary part includes a first light sensor adapted to generate a first electrical signal and a second light sensor adapted to generate a second electrical signal that indicate a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to light impinging on the device;
the movable part comprises;
a first plate rotatably coupled to the stationary part; and
a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate;
the stationary part and the movable part are separated by a gap;
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated through the gap;
the separation between the stationary part and the movable part changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part;
the first electrical signal indicates orientation of the first plate with respect to the stationary part; and
the second electrical signal indicates orientation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.
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Abstract
A MEMS device employed in an optical switch has a position sensor configured to determine mirror orientation in the device. The position sensor includes at least one light sensor located under an etch gap defining the mirror in the switch. Change of light intensity at each light sensor due to the change in separation corresponding to the etch gap during mirror motion is measured and related to the mirror deflection angle. Information about the angle may be used to provide feedback to the motion actuator, which then may be operated to orient the mirror more accurately.
13 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A MEMS device, comprising:
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a stationary part; and
a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part, wherein;
the stationary part includes a first light sensor adapted to generate a first electrical signal and a second light sensor adapted to generate a second electrical signal that indicate a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to light impinging on the device;
the movable part comprises;
a first plate rotatably coupled to the stationary part; and
a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate;
the stationary part and the movable part are separated by a gap;
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated through the gap;
the separation between the stationary part and the movable part changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part;
the first electrical signal indicates orientation of the first plate with respect to the stationary part; and
the second electrical signal indicates orientation of the second plate with respect to the first plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 12)
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4. A MEMS device, comprising:
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a stationary part; and
a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part, wherein;
the stationary part includes a first light sensor adapted to generate a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to light impinging on the device;
an aperture is defined in the movable part;
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated by the light that passes through the aperture substantially without reflection from the movable part; and
the effective area of the aperture changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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7. A method comprising:
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receiving light at a MEMS device having a stationary part and a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part; and
generating, with a first light sensor of the stationary part, a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to the light;
generating, with a second light sensor of the stationary part, a second electrical signal in response to the light, wherein;
the movable part comprises;
a first plate rotatably coupled to the stationary part; and
a second plate rotatably coupled to the first plate;
the stationary part and the movable part are separated by a gap;
the first light sensor is illuminated through the gap;
the separation between the stationary part and the movable part changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part;
the first electrical signal indicates orientation of the first plate with respect to the stationary part; and
the second electrical signal indicates orientation of the second plate with respect to the first place. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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receiving light at a MEMS device having a stationary part and a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part; and
generating, with a first light sensor of the stationary part, a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to the light, wherein;
an aperture is defined in the movable part;
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated by the light that passes through the aperture substantially without reflection from the movable part; and
the effective area of the aperture changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A MEMS device, comprising:
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a stationary part; and
a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part, wherein;
the stationary part includes a first light sensor adapted to generate a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to light impinging on the device;
the stationary part and the movable part are separated by a gap;
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated by the light that passes through the gap substantially without reflection from the movable part; and
the separation between the stationary part and the movable part changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part.
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20. A method comprising:
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receiving light at a MEMS device having a stationary part and a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part; and
generating, with a first light sensor of the stationary part, a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to the light, wherein;
the stationary part and the movable part are separated by a gap;
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated by the light that passes through the gap substantially without reflection from the movable part; and
the separation between the stationary part and the movable part changes as the position of the movable part changes with respect to the stationary part.
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21. A MEMS device, comprising:
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a stationary part; and
a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part, wherein;
the stationary part includes a first light sensor adapted to generate a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to light impinging on the device;
the stationary part and the movable part include portions fabricated from a single layer of a layered wafer, wherein said portions are separated by an opening formed in said single layer; and
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated by the light that passes through the opening, wherein, when the movable part changes position with respect to the stationary part, the amount of the light that passes through the opening changes.
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22. A method comprising:
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receiving light at a MEMS device having a stationary part and a movable part movably coupled to the stationary part; and
generating, with a first light sensor of the stationary part, a first electrical signal that indicates a position of the movable part with respect to the stationary part in response to the light, wherein;
the stationary part and the movable part include portions fabricated from a single layer of a layered wafer, wherein said portions are separated by an opening formed in said single layer; and
the first light sensor is adapted to be illuminated by the light that passes through the opening, wherein, when the movable part changes position with respect to the stationary part, the amount of the light that passes through the opening changes.
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Specification