Patent ID: 7046002
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device comprising: a base structure; a magnetic sensor attached to said base structure and operable for sensing a magnetic field and allowing for a continuous variation of an amplification of the magnetic field at a position at said magnetic sensor; and for receiving a DC voltage and an AC modulation voltage in said MEMS device; a pair of flux concentrators attached to said magnetic sensor; a pair of electrostatic comb drives, each coupled to a respective flux concentrator such that a first half of each comb drive is attached to the base structure opposite from a corresponding second half of each comb drive that is attached to the flux concentrator such that when the pair of electrostatic comb drives are excited by a modulating electrical signal, each flux concentrator oscillates linearly at a prescribed frequency; a pair of bias members connecting said flux concentrators to one another; wherein said DC voltage increases a spacing between said flux concentrators; and wherein said flux concentrators are modulated to increase an operating frequency to eliminate 1/f-type noise, where f is a frequency of operation of said magnetic sensor.