Patent ID: 6571029
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method for operating a plurality of MEMS devices comprising:a) applying a magnitude of a selected actuation signal equal to a first substantially constant magnitude to an actuator to cause a movable structure to begin to accelerate from a first position to impact a motion stop at a second position; b) decreasing the magnitude of the selected actuation signal in a first manner; c) varying at least one of a start time and a duration of the decreasing magnitude of the selected actuation signal; d) observing a settling time of the movable structure in response to the step of varying; e) ascertaining a range of values for the start times and the corresponding durations for each of the plurality of MEMS devices capable of providing settling times of the movable structure in conformance with a predetermined specification based on the steps of varying and observing; f) using the ascertained range of values for each of the plurality of MEMS devices and the selected actuation signal, determining an operating start time and a corresponding operating duration to construct an operating actuation signal capable of providing a settling time for each of the plurality of MEMS devices in conformance with the predetermined specification; and g) controlling a signal source with a programmed processor to selectively apply the operating actuation signal to the plurality of MEMS devices.