IP Library Granted Patent US 8,022,490
Granted Patent B2
US 8,022,490 · App. 12/054,169 · Granted Sep 20, 2011

Micro electro-mechanical sensor (MEMS) fabricated with ribbon wire bonds

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,022,490
App. No.
12/054,169
Granted
Sep 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A micro electro-mechanical sensor is provided. The micro electro-mechanical sensor includes a substrate, and a conducting plane disposed on the substrate. A conducting via is disposed on the substrate, such as adjacent to the conducting plane. A plurality of ribbon conductors are disposed over the conducting plane and electrically connected to the conducting via, such that the plurality of ribbon conductors form a transducer array in combination with the conducting plane, such as through capacitive coupling that changes in response to changes in the physical shape of the plurality of ribbons.

Claims (40)

1. A micro electro-mechanical sensor comprising:

a substrate;

a conducting plane disposed on the substrate;

a conducting via disposed on the substrate;

a plurality of conductors disposed over the conducting plane and electrically connected to the conducting via, the plurality of conductors forming a transducer array in combination with the conducting plane; and

a plurality of active devices disposed between the conductors.

2. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane.

3. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an insulating layer between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane.

4. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 wherein the conducting via further comprises two conducting vias disposed on opposite sides of the conducting plane.

5. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising a bus structure coupled to the plurality of active devices.

6. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising a wedge bond connecting at least one of the plurality of conductors to a metallic conducting via.

7. The micro-electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane and an insulating layer between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane.

8. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 7 wherein the conducting via further comprises two conducting vias disposed on opposite sides of the conducting plane.

9. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 7 further comprising a bus structure coupled to the plurality of active devices.

10. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 7 further comprising a wedge bond connecting at least one of the plurality of conductors to a metallic conducting via.

11. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane, and two conducting vias disposed on opposite sides of the conducting plane.

12. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 11 further comprising a bus structure coupled to the plurality of active devices.

13. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 11 further comprising a wedge bond connecting at least one of the plurality of conductors to a metallic conducting via.

14. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane and a bus structure coupled to the plurality of active devices.

15. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 14 further comprising a wedge bond connecting at least one of the plurality of conductors to a metallic conducting via.

16. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane and a wedge bond connecting at least one of the plurality of conductors to a metallic conducting via.

17. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 1 further comprising an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane, an insulating layer between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane and two conducting vias disposed on opposite sides of the conducting plane.

18. A micro electro-mechanical sensor comprising:

a substrate;

a conducting plane disposed on the substrate;

a conducting via disposed on the substrate;

a plurality of non-carbon conductors disposed over the conducting plane and electrically connected to the conducting via, the plurality of non-carbon conductors forming a transducer array in combination with the conducting plane; and

a plurality of active devices disposed between the non-carbon conductors.

19. The micro electro-mechanical sensor of claim 18 wherein the plurality of non-carbon conductors comprise one or more gold conductors.

20. A micro electro-mechanical sensor comprising:

a substrate;

a conducting plane disposed on the substrate;

a conducting via disposed on the substrate;

a plurality of conductors disposed over the conducting plane and electrically connected to the conducting via, the plurality of conductors forming a transducer array in combination with the conducting plane;

a plurality of active devices disposed between the conductors;

an air gap between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane;

an insulating layer between the plurality of conductors and the conducting plane;

two conducting vias disposed on opposite sides of the conducting plane;

a bus structure coupled to the plurality of active devices; and

a wedge bond connecting at least one of the plurality of conductors to a metallic conducting via.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 27, 2017
From: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 044037/0896 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2016
From: LAKESTAR SEMI INC.
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038803/0693 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 20, 2016
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: LAKESTAR SEMI INC.
Reel/Frame 038777/0885 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2016
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.; CONEXANT, INC.; CONEXANT SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE, INC.; BROOKTREE BROADBAND HOLDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038631/0452 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 11, 2010
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.; CONEXANT SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE, INC.; CONEXANT, INC.; BROOKTREE BROADBAND HOLDING, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK, MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024066/0075 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2010
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. (FORMERLY, THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.)
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023998/0838 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 24, 2008
From: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 020691/0631 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2008
From: WARREN, ROBERT
To: CONEXANT SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020694/0195 →