Micro-Image Acquisition and Transmission System
A micro-image acquisition and transmission system is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the system is comprised of an image acquisition chip comprising an electronic imager, control electronics and a micro powered rotary stage comprising a transceiver array that acts as a hub to optically link a group of distributed image acquisition chips. A preferred embodiment is further comprised of a transceiver array chip comprising one or more micro-powered rotary stages having a transceiver array assembly disposed thereon. The micro-powered rotary stage is supported by a micro-brush bearing.
1 . A micro-powered rotary stage comprising:
a micro-brush bearing comprising at least one electrically conductive column comprising a semiconductor material,
at least one capacitive feed-through,
a micro-friction drive,
a plurality of cantilever teeth, and,
at least one electrostatic balancer.
2 . The micro-powered rotary stage of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver an - ay chip comprising a micro-steerable mirror assembly comprising a scratch drive.
3 . The micro-powered rotary stage of claim 1 further comprising an image acquisition chip.
4 . The micro-powered rotary stage of claim 2 wherein the scratch drive comprises a photo-resist hinge element.
5 . The micro-powered rotary stage of claim 2 wherein the scratch drive is controlled by the micro-friction drive element and a rotary encoder element.