Kraft M., Evans A.
University of Southampton, UK
Keywords: electrostatic levitation, inertial sensors., system level simulation
This paper describes the derivation of a system-level model for a micromachined disk which is levitated by electrostatic forces. Such a system has many potential applications for inertial sensors, micro-motors, microfluidic and micro-optical devices. As a simulation tool Matlab/Simulink was used since it can easily handle different domains such as electrical and mechanical without special arrangements. Multi-axis electro-mechanical sigma-delta modulators were chosen to control the various degrees of freedom of the levitated disk. Of special interest is the power-up phase at the end of which the control system has to ensure that the disk is centred between the top and bottom electrodes.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2000 International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems
Published: March 27, 2000
Pages: 130 - 133
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topics: MEMS & NEMS Devices, Modeling & Applications, Modeling & Simulation of Microsystems
ISBN: 0-9666135-7-0