Patent ID: 8227286

Claim:
A method of forming an SOI-based MEMS device, the method comprising: providing a SOI-based MEMS wafer having a single crystal silicon layer with a top face, the single crystal silicon layer also having sensing structure and a second component, the second component being within the single crystal silicon layer and including circuitry; depositing a sacrificial layer on the top face; and depositing an additional MEMS layer on the sacrificial layer, the additional MEMS layer having a surface that faces the top face and the sensing structure, the deposited additional MEMS layer electrically connecting the sensing structure with the circuitry and forming an electrode capable of capacitively coupling with at least a portion of the single crystal silicon layer and measuring a change of capacitance between the sensing structure and the additional MEMS layer, the change in capacitance being based, at least in part, upon a change in distance between the sensing structure and the surface of the deposited additional MEMS layer.