Patent ID: 6593870
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
An isolated-ADC providing isolation between an analog input signal and a digital output signal, the isolated-ADC comprising:a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) including: a substrate; a beam element supported from the substrate for movement with respect to an axis relative to the substrate; a first actuator attached to the beam element, wherein the first actuator is capable of exerting a first force upon the beam element causing the beam element to move with respect to the axis, and wherein the first force is dependent upon the analog input signal provided to the isolated-ADC; a sensor communicating with the beam element to detect a change in position of the beam element and to produce a position signal indicative of the position of the beam element; and a second actuator attached to the beam element, wherein the second actuator is capable of exerting a second force upon the beam element based upon a feedback signal; a comparator electrically coupled to the sensor, wherein the comparator generates a digital signal based upon a comparison of the position signal with a reference value representative of a reference position of the beam element; and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) electrically coupled between the second actuator and the comparator, wherein the DAC generates the feedback signal at least in partial dependence upon the digital signal; wherein the digital output signal is further produced by a processing device within the isolated-ADC in dependence upon the digital signal, the digital output signal being an indication of, and electrically isolated from, the analog input signal.