Tunable MEMS resonators
First Claim
1. A resonator, comprising:
- a cavity;
a post extending into the cavity;
a movable plate located within the cavity and spaced apart from the post;
a metal layer disposed on a surface of the post facing the movable plate, wherein a variable capacitor is formed between the movable plate and the metal layer;
a first dielectric layer located between the movable plate and the metal layer;
a biasing electrode located on the opposite side of the movable plate as the post; and
a second dielectric layer located between the movable plate and the biasing electrode, wherein application of a voltage to the biasing electrode causes movement of the movable plate towards the biasing electrode.
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Abstract
Tunable MEMS resonators having adjustable resonance frequency and capable of handling large signals are described. In one exemplary design, a tunable MEMS resonator includes (i) a first part having a cavity and a post and (ii) a second part mated to the first part and including a movable layer located under the post. Each part may be covered with a metal layer on the surface facing the other part. The movable plate may be mechanically moved by a DC voltage to vary the resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator. The cavity may have a rectangular or circular shape and may be empty or filled with a dielectric material. The post may be positioned in the middle of the cavity. The movable plate may be attached to the second part (i) via an anchor and operated as a cantilever or (ii) via two anchors and operated as a bridge.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A resonator, comprising:
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a cavity; a post extending into the cavity; a movable plate located within the cavity and spaced apart from the post; a metal layer disposed on a surface of the post facing the movable plate, wherein a variable capacitor is formed between the movable plate and the metal layer; a first dielectric layer located between the movable plate and the metal layer; a biasing electrode located on the opposite side of the movable plate as the post; and a second dielectric layer located between the movable plate and the biasing electrode, wherein application of a voltage to the biasing electrode causes movement of the movable plate towards the biasing electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device including at least one resonator, each resonator comprising:
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a cavity; a post extending into the cavity; a movable plate located within the cavity and spaced apart from the post, wherein the movable plate is supported on one side by an anchor, and wherein the movable plate is operated as a cantilever; a biasing electrode located on the opposite side of the movable plate as the post; and a dielectric layer located between the movable plate and the biasing electrode, wherein application of a voltage to the biasing electrode causes movement of the movable plate towards the biasing electrode to alter a resonance frequency of the resonator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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applying a voltage to a biasing electrode of a resonator, the resonator including a post extending into a cavity, a movable plate located in the cavity and between the post and the biasing electrode, a metal layer on a surface of a post facing the movable plate, and a dielectric layer between the metal layer and the movable plate, wherein applying the voltage to the biasing electrode causes movement of the movable plate towards the biasing electrode to vary a resonance frequency of the resonator; and receiving a radio frequency signal from the cavity of the resonator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification