Patent ID: 7388247

Claim:
A monolithic microelectromechanical device comprising: a trim capacitor having a continuously-adjustable capacitance value; a capacitance actuator coupled to control said continuously-adjustable capacitance value; wherein said trim capacitor further comprises: a first electrode; and a movable second electrode disposed a first distance from said first electrode, said first distance adjustable by said capacitance actuator to change said continuously-adjustable capacitance value; wherein said capacitance actuator comprises: a third electrode; and a movable fourth electrode disposed a second distance from said third electrode, said second distance adjustable responsive to an electrostatic force between said third and forth electrodes corresponding to said voltage potential; a programmable voltage source for generating a voltage potential corresponding to a control signal, wherein said voltage potential controls said capacitance actuator, wherein said programmable voltage source includes: an amplifier having an input and output terminal; and a floating-gate transistor wherein a floating gate of said transistor is coupled to said input terminal for storing a charge value; and a shared flexible dielectric layer disposed between said first and second electrodes and extending between said third and fourth electrodes, said dielectric layer being movable with respect to a substrate, said dielectric layer comprising a first surface with a first roughness disposed between said electrodes; wherein, said first electrode has a second surface with a second roughness; such that said first surface opposes said second surface, thereby forming an effective area of substantial contact, said area of substantial contact being responsive to movements of said second electrode, thereby changing said continuously-adjustable capacitance value.