Patent ID: 6621681
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method of controlling an electrically activated microelectromechanical actuator of a reflective microstructure positioning system fabricated on a substrate, the microelectromechanical actuator being positionable in a plurality of positions corresponding to different total control voltages across the microelectromechanical actuator to orient the reflective microstructure in a corresponding plurality of orientations with respect to the substrate, said method comprising:applying a first control voltage to the microelectromechanical actuator, wherein said applying a first control voltage step at least assists in establishing a first total control voltage across the microelectromechanical actuator; establishing a first position of the microelectromechanical actuator based upon said applying a first control voltage step, wherein the reflective microstructure is oriented in a first orientation corresponding to the first position; applying a second control voltage to the microelectromechanical actuator during said applying a first control voltage step and after said establishing a first position step, wherein said applying a second control voltage step at least assists in establishing a second total control voltage across the microelectromechanical actuator that is different from the first total control voltage; and moving the microelectromechanical actuator from the first position to a second position based upon said applying a second control voltage step, wherein the reflective microstructure is oriented in a second orientation corresponding to the second position.