Patent ID: 8395371
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: G01R,G09G

Abstract:
1. A method of characterizing the behavior of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, the method comprising: applying a first sinusoidal voltage signal to the MEMS device, wherein the MEMS device comprises a movable electrode spaced apart from another electrode; measuring an output signal, wherein the output signal comprises current through the MEMS device during application of the first sinusoidal voltage signal to the MEMS device; identifying frequency components of the output signal; determining whether the frequency components of the output signal are indicative of non-linear behavior of the MEMS device; and identifying a transition voltage of the MEMS device based upon the presence of non-linear behavior, wherein identifying a transition voltage of the MEMS device comprises applying at least a second sinusoidal voltage signal to the MEMS device, wherein the second sinusoidal voltage spans a voltage range different from the voltage range of the first sinusoidal voltage.