Wireless, RF & Smart Dust

The output of nanoresonators is often in the form of small currents, in the range of nanoamperes. We will investigate methods to improve the extraction and amplification of these small signals, in the presence of feedthrough and other parasitic effects. With optimized sensing circuits, one can also investigate a variety of ideas utilizing nanoresonator structures. Currently on our list are: 1. Novel methods to minimize feedthrough in nanoresonator structures. 2. HF filters from mechanically-coupled nanoresonators 3. Demonstration of an associative memory from variable coupling of...

Wireless sensor networks require cheap, very low power radios. We are exploring simple circuits in standard analog CMOS to provide this functionality. Although performance requirements are relatively easy, the transceiver should only consume on the order of 1mW. The challenge therefore is to provide relatively high transmitter efficiency even when radiating relatively little power, and to maintain a relatively selective, sensitive receiver while consuming as little current as possible. At a 1% duty cycle from a standard lithium-ion coin cell, this implies several years of operation...

IVY is a research infrastructure of networked sensors for the College of Engineering at UC Berkeley.

Project end date: 08/30/04

The objective of this project is to design, fabricate, and demonstrate Nano-Mechanical Resonators (NMRs) with GHz natural frequencies. The Radial Bulk Annular Resonator (RBAR), our newest concept, represents a breakthrough in NMR design. Unlike its contemporaries, the RBAR can be arbitrarily sized for any given frequency. This provides design flexibility and increases the mechanical Q of the RBAR. Most importantly, the arbitrary sizing of the RBAR means tremendous reductions in the device’s equivalent resistance, Req. This leads to drastically reduced insertion loss, lower power...