Turbo Webinars
15-minute, highly impactful webinars covering topics that
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Conference Presentations
ISSCC 2012 Tutorial
Getting In Touch with MEMS: The Electromechanical Interface
These slides accompanied the 2012 ISSCC Tutorial. The tutorial is written for practicing IC engineers and students.
Download (1.55 Mb)
MEMS systems include mechanical structures and electronic sense and drive circuits. Between these is an electromechanical interface, which can be capacitive, piezoresistive, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, electromagnetic, thermal, optical or can take some other form. The selection of this interface is the single most critical decision in the system definition and it determines the eventual capabilities and limits of the device.
The interface fundamentally sets the device's sensitivity, accuracy, drift, ageing, temperature behavior, and environmental capabilities. The interface determines the MEMS production technology and hence the fab selection, the cost structure, and the time to market. This tutorial examines and compares the available options and application drivers. Which interface technologies can be used? Why is one more suitable for a particular application than another? How do they scale? What is on the horizon? The goal is to expand the attendee's potential role from circuit designer to system designer. From "Here is the MEMS device, design the interface circuit." into "Here is the problem, define an optimal solution."
Presentation content:
- MEMS Materials, Processes and Example Applications
- Electrical Interfaces
- Scaling Laws
- Packaging is Critical
- CMOS Integration
- How to Succeed
MEMS-Based Resonators and Oscillators are Now Replacing Quartz
These slides accompanied the 2012 ISSCC Evening Session on Technologies that Could Change the World – You Decide! Download (1021.54 kB)
MEMS timing is here now. MEMS will replace quartz oscillators in most applications. The value-add is strong enough to transform an industry. This presentation provides a short overview of MEMS timing technology, its benefits and recent developments.
Application White Papers
Clock Features for Power Conscious and Greener Applications
When designing clock sources in power conscious applications, various timing technologies and clock features should be considered as they affect power consumption differently. This paper discusses power consumption and other power-saving features, performance and layout issues; and compares the features and tradeoffs of the three main reference clock types (XTAL, oscillator and clock generator) and the two main timing technologies (quartz and MEMS) are discussed. Download (65.01 kB)
MEMS Oscillators are Ideal for Industrial and Medical Applications
Reference timing components (such as resonators and oscillators) are used in industrial and medical digital electronic systems to synchronize all signals to the clock source. Electronic equipment used in industrial and medical environments must be highly reliable and robust, and must contain components that are designed to operate in these environments. Read how MEMS oscillators offer new features, flexibility and superior reliability that is ideal for these types of applications. Download (243.25 kB)
How to Improve Tablet PCs and Other Portable Devices with MEMS Timing Technology
Market dynamics are quickly changing with the success of the iPad, iPhone and Android-based devices. MEMS-based timing solutions enable designers to differentiate their products and meet their needs for devices with smaller size, more features, higher performance, better reliability and durability. Learn how manufacturers of portable devices can leverage both the performance advantages as well as supply chain benefits of new timing technology. English (268.3 kB) | Chinese (464.9 kB)
MEMS Timing Solutions Are Ideal for Digital Camera Applications
MEMS-based timing devices allow designers to differentiate digital cameras with enhanced performance and features. Oscillators are used in cameras to clock the image sensor and main processor. Timing devices must support increased performance and accuracy levels as image resolution increases and camera features improve. Learn how to use new technology to design products with lower jitter, excellent frequency stability, smaller size, longer batter life and much better reliability. Download (86.86 kB)
Silicon MEMS Oscillators Provide Benefits for LED Lighting
Silicon MEMS-based oscillators are the preferred timing solution for many lighting systems, especially those used in industrial and commercial locations. MEMS oscillators have better performance and reliability compared to quartz-based devices. The flexible features and special functions in MEMS oscillators can help resolve EMI, LED flicker and dimming interference. Plus they offer lower cost and short lead-times for lighting manufactures. Download (121.41 kB)
MEMS Timing Solutions Improve Touchscreen Devices
MEMS-based oscillators and resonators offer new benefits to systems that use touchscreen technology. The benefits include higher system performance and reliability with immunity to shock, vibration, and noise; better touchscreen performance with lower internal EMI enabled by spread spectrum and edge rate control; lower cost with all-silicon die inside standard low-cost plastic packages; and readily available products with a wide variety of features and short lead-times. Download (79.28 kB)
MEMS Oscillators Improve System Performance and Reliability in Motor Control Applications
MEMS oscillators are replacing quartz-based timing devices in electronic motors because they offer better reliability, improved stability, more features, short lead times and lower cost. Industrial motor controlled equipment is often subject to extreme temperatures, high levels of vibration and electromagnetic noise. In the presence of these harsh conditions, oscillators must operate reliably. Read the latest performance data for XOs tested under these conditions. Download (57.72 kB)
