Methods for measurement and characterization of interferometric modulators
First Claim
1. A method of characterizing the behavior of an electromechanical device, the method comprising:
- applying a driving voltage signal to the electromechanical device, wherein the electromechanical device includes a movable layer and a fixed layer that together form a capacitor;
measuring a current through the electromechanical device as a function of time;
integrating the current over a period of time, wherein integrating the current through the electromechanical device provides a measure of the charge accumulated on the electromechanical device as a function of time;
determining a measure of a capacitance of the electromechanical device as a function of time by dividing the charge accumulated on the electromechanical device by the driving voltage signal;
determining a measure of the position of the movable layer relative to the fixed layer based at least in part on a measure of the capacitance as a function of time; and
determining a duration of an actuation time of the electromechanical device based at least in part upon the measure of the position of the movable layer as a function of time, wherein the actuation time corresponds to a transition period in which the electromechanical device moves from an unactuated state to an actuated state.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various methods are described to characterize interferometric modulators or similar devices. Measured voltages across interferometric modulators may be used to characterize transition voltages of the interferometric modulators. Measured currents may be analyzed by integration of measured current to provide an indication of a dynamic response of the interferometric modulator. Frequency analysis may be used to provide an indication of a hysteresis window of the interferometric modulator or mechanical properties of the interferometric modulator. Capacitance may be determined through signal correlation, and spread-spectrum analysis may be used to minimize the effect of noise or interference on measurements of various interferometric modulator parameters.
69 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method of characterizing the behavior of an electromechanical device, the method comprising:
-
applying a driving voltage signal to the electromechanical device, wherein the electromechanical device includes a movable layer and a fixed layer that together form a capacitor; measuring a current through the electromechanical device as a function of time; integrating the current over a period of time, wherein integrating the current through the electromechanical device provides a measure of the charge accumulated on the electromechanical device as a function of time; determining a measure of a capacitance of the electromechanical device as a function of time by dividing the charge accumulated on the electromechanical device by the driving voltage signal; determining a measure of the position of the movable layer relative to the fixed layer based at least in part on a measure of the capacitance as a function of time; and determining a duration of an actuation time of the electromechanical device based at least in part upon the measure of the position of the movable layer as a function of time, wherein the actuation time corresponds to a transition period in which the electromechanical device moves from an unactuated state to an actuated state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method of characterizing the dynamic behavior of an electromechanical device, the method comprising:
-
applying a driving voltage to the electromechanical device for a first period of time, the electromechanical device comprising a movable electrode and a fixed electrode, wherein the movable electrode extends generally perpendicular to the fixed electrode and is electrostatically movable towards the first electrode; measuring a current through the electromechanical device as a function of time over a second period of time, the second period of time comprising at least a portion of the first period of time; and determining a duration of a transition period in which the movable electrode moves from an unactuated state to an actuated state based on an integration of the current. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A device comprising:
-
an electromechanical device comprising a movable layer extending substantially parallel to a fixed electrode and electrostatically movable towards the fixed electrode; and circuitry configured to apply a driving voltage signal to the electromechanical device to induce movement of the movable layer, measure a current through the electromechanical device as a function of time, integrate the current over a period of time, and determine a duration of a transition period in which the movable layer moves from an unactuated state to an actuated state based on the integrated current. - View Dependent Claims (11)
-
-
12. A device, comprising:
-
means for inducing movement of a movable layer of an electromechanical device towards a fixed electrode of the electromechanical device, wherein the movable layer extends generally parallel to the fixed electrode; means for measuring a current through the electromechanical device; means for integrating the current over a period of time; and means for determining a duration of a transition period in which the movable layer moves from an unactuated state to an actuated state based upon the integrated current. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
Specification