Patent ID: 7378837

Claim:
A system for controlling a tunneling current between a first element and a second element of a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor, wherein the first element and the second element are spaced apart from one another, at least the first element being movable relative to the second element responsive to a stimulus acting on at least the first element, the system comprising: a tunneling current excitation source for providing a tunneling current between a first element and a second element of a MEMS sensor; a tunneling current monitor for monitoring a change in the tunneling current responsive to movement of at least the first element relative to the second element; a positioner for positioning at least one of the first element and the second element relative to one another; and a controller in communication with the tunneling current monitor for controlling the positioner to position at least one of the first element and the second element at a first spacing between the first element and the second element for configuring the system in a referencing mode and to position at least one of the first element and the second element at a second spacing for configuring the system in a sensing mode, whereby the system is calibrated with respect to the referencing mode.