Wireless, RF & Smart Dust

Research that includes:

  • Tuneable RF components: capacitors, inductors, transformers
  • RF microrelays
  • High frequency MEMS resonators: devices, structures, and processes

BPN348: Subterranean Wireless Sensor Network

Ryan Xie
David Doolin
Valerie Zimmer
Michelle Ma
2006

Our long term goal is to prototype and evaluate a reliable, self-healing wireless mesh sensor network for use in mines, caves, and underground storage facilities. Its primary application will be to monitor the physical environment, such as temperature, humidity and barometric pressure, as well as detection of potentially hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). We will evaluate the feasibility of using real-time wireless sensor networks to monitor operating environments and to provide hazard identification and warning. An important aspect...

APP58: Nano-Gap Piezoelectric Resonators for RF Mechanical Magnetic Field Generation

Carolyn White
2006

An integrated, nano mechanically-regulated atomic clock has been proposed to reduce the size, mass, and power consumption and enable use on portable platforms. This project focuses on the development of nano-gap piezoelectric resonators for RF mechanical magnetic field generation.

Project end date: 01/24/07

APP66: Piezoelectric MEMS for Resonator Applications

Andrew S. Cardes
Philip J. Stephanou
2006

The goal of this project is to develop piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) MEMS resonators for frequency reference and bandpass filtering applications to enable novel, highly-integrated radio front ends. The demand for highly-integrated analog filtering and frequency reference elements has spurred rapid innovation in the area of vibrating RF MEMS. To date however, no single technology has emerged that can simultaneously deliver monolithic, post-CMOS integration of intermediate frequency (IF) and radio frequency (RF) components that can readily interface with 50 Ohm RF systems....

RTH29: Lateral-Mode NEMS Resonators Using Internal Electrostatic Transduction

Hei Kam
2006

Electrostatic MEMS resonators show great promise for RF front end applications. Their high motional resistance, however, is one of the major problems for their widespread applications. In this project, we aim to reduce such resistance by using high K dielectric instead of air gaps for transduction. Prototype devices are now being fabricated and will be characterize to see the improvements in performance.

Project end date: 01/24/07

BPN353: Integration of MEMS switches and RF passive components

Tommy Fujii
Dan McCormick
2006

In order to develop advanced multi-functional RF devices for future applications, it is expected that significant advancements must be made to existing technologies or a new technology must be developed. One such enabling technology is the ability to integrate all passive elements and switches monolithically. This technology would represent a new class of RF design and manufacturing capabilities. In order to develop this technology and make it a reality, we are investigating the feasibility of a fabrication process integrating high quality MEMS switches, spiral inductors and MIS...

BPN347: Smart Flea

Subramaniam Venkatraman
2007

Behavior monitoring of animals is of interest to pharmaceutical firms which perform animal testing during the development of drugs. Behavior monitoring using a wireless accelerometer strapped to the animal is explored in this project. Since rats are the animal used in this study, it is essential that the wireless accelerometer meet some stringent weight and size requirements. A prototype wireless accelerometer has been developed which comprises of a 3-axes accelerometer, wireless transceiver, microcontroller, voltage regulator, switch, antenna and battery. It weighs 10.2 grams and is...

KSJP31: 3nJ/bit 2.4GHz CMOS RF Transceiver

Benjamin Cook
2007

The goal of this project is to make dust-sized, wearable, autonomous wireless sensor nodes practically realizable by substantially reducing the power demands of the system's most power hungry section; the RF circuits. To that end, a novel RF transceiver capable of delivering adequate performance for sensor networks while consuming remarkably little power has been developed. Substantial power reduction in the RF circuits will shrink the size of battery required to sustain an autonomous sensor node. The goals for power consumption are dependent on the particular requirements placed on...

RTH45: Synchronization and interaction of MEMS oscillators

Peter Chen
Donovan Lee
2005

With MEMS oscillators realized frequently in research, and nanoscale resonators around the corner, it is now not only feasible but interesting to have multiple oscillators integrated on one chip. However, the possible mechanical and electrical interactions between closely-placed devices have not been investigated. Recent surges in mathematical research have shown that it is not only possible to achieve synchronization between coupled oscillators; it is also possible to provide a computational solution with a larger array of coupled oscillators. In the MEMS world, this translates into...

NT19: MEMS Microswitch for High-Voltage Applications

Fabian Strong
2007

A microswitch utilizing thermoelectric MEMS actuators is being designed, fabricated, and characterized. The switch is intended to switch >1000 VDC with over 100 gigaohms off-state resistance. The main challenge in designing these switches is determining a contact electrode configuration with the ability to stand off high voltages, while still being able to bridge the contact gap using MEMS actuators. Extensive high voltage breakdown testing has confirmed that the breakdown response for planar MEMS polysilicon devices is similar to the publushed response of larger metal electrodes...

BPN416: AlN Piezo: Aluminum Nitride RF Filters

Jan Kuypers
2008

The goal of this project is to use piezoelectric Aluminum nitride (AlN) MEMS resonators to develop RF bandpass filters which can achieve multiple frequency operation with CMOS compatibility and high quality factor. These highly-integrated bandpass filter arrays with low power dissipation and small form factor will enable next-generation wireless communication systems.

Project end date: 02/07/08