Patent ID: 7808332

Claim:
A system for generating a timing signal, the system comprising: a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) resonator that includes at least one non-active element and at least one active element, wherein, in operation, wherein the at least one non-active element vibrates and the at least one active element is configured to oscillate in a first resonant mode; at least one drive electrode configured to receive a first time-varying signal that causes the at least one active element to oscillate; at least one sense electrode configured to conduct a second time-varying signal in response to the oscillations of the at least one active element; and at least one resonator electrode shield configured to reduce an interfering signal associated with the at least one non-active element, the at least one drive electrode, or the at least one sense electrode, and wherein the interfering signal is a spurious resonance current conducted by the at least one sense electrode and is related to the vibrations of the at least one non-active element.