Patent ID: 6232790
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: B81C,G01R

Abstract:
An apparatus for testing performance characteristics of a microelectromechanical device, said microelectromechanical device having movable mechanical members, wherein said apparatus comprises:at least one test probe having one end in operable electrical communication with at least one of the movable mechanical members of the microelectromechanical device for receiving electrical signals indicative of the movement of the movable mechanical member;an analyzer for receiving the electrical signals from said test probe at a location remote from the microelectromechanical device, wherein said analyzer analyzes the electrical signals to determine the performance characteristics of the microelectromechanical device;communication means for transmitting the electrical signals from the test probe to the analyzer; andan amplifier in operable electrical communication with said test probe and said communication means, wherein said amplifier is in close proximity to said test probe such that said amplifier amplifies the electrical signals prior to transmission of the electrical signals by said communication means such that the electrical signals are amplified before sufficient noise has been introduced into the electrical signals to reduce a signal to noise ratio of the electrical signals to less than 10 decibels.