Patent ID: 6583374
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: H02N

Abstract:
A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) digital isolator, comprising:a substrate; an element supported by the substrate for movement between a first and second position with respect to the substrate, where at least a portion of the element between a first and second location on the element is an electrical insulator to electrically isolate the first and second locations from each other; an actuator attached to the first portion of the element to receive an input electrical signal and exert a force dependent on the input electrical signal urging the element toward the second position; a bias structure attached to the element to exert a predetermined opposite force on the element urging the element toward the first position; and a sensor attached to the second portion of the element to provide an output electrical signal indicating movement of the element between the first position and the second position; whereby an input signal of above a predetermined magnitude overcomes the opposite force to cause the element to move rapidly from the first to the second position to produce the output electrical signal electrically isolated from the input electrical signal; wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a capacitive sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a resistive sensor, and an optical switching sensor.