Small form factor microsensor system using optical MEMS for passive optical digital communication (PODC)

Weidong Wang; Scott Samson; Rahul Agarwal; John Bumgarner; Ray Hazen; Sunny Kedia; Gino Gonzalez; Larry Langebrake; Christel Munoz; Eric Kaltenbacher

doi:10.1117/12.721203

3 May 2007 Small form factor microsensor system using optical MEMS for passive optical digital communications (PODC)

Weidong Wang, Scott Samson, Rahul Agarwal, John Bumgarner, Ray Hazen, Sunny Kedia, Gino Gonzalez, Larry Langebrake, Christel Munoz, Eric Kaltenbacher

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6556, Micro (MEMS) and Nanotechnologies for Defense and Security; 65560N (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.721203
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2007, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

A small form factor microsensor system with optical MEMS devices is discussed in this paper. The key components in the microsensor system include a temperature and humidity sensor for environmental monitoring, a microprocessor for signal processing, and an optical MEMS device (active corner cube retroreflector or CCR) for remote free space optical communication. A flexible circuit design and a folded packaging scheme have been utilized to minimize the overall form factor. Flat, flexible polymer batteries are incorporated to minimize the vertical profile to a few millimeters. The entire fully packaged sensor system is about 30mmx30mmx6 mm. MEMS design of the CCR, fabrication, hermetic packaging of CCR, flexible circuit design and fabrication, flip chip bonding of die form microprocessor, and a battery replacement scheme for extended operation lifetime are crucial elements for the development of a real product for the microsensor system. Optical MEMS CCR is a torsion mirror design and was fabricated using surface micromachining with Si₃N₄ as a structural layer. A finite element analysis (FEA) model was developed to optimize design and performance of the MEMS structures. The sensor system has a miniature mechanical switch for local actuation and an optical switch for remote actuation. The applications of such a microsensor system include both tracking, tagging, locating (TTL) and remote sensing.

Citation Download Citation

Weidong Wang, Scott Samson, Rahul Agarwal, John Bumgarner, Ray Hazen, Sunny Kedia, Gino Gonzalez, Larry Langebrake, Christel Munoz, and Eric Kaltenbacher "Small form factor microsensor system using optical MEMS for passive optical digital communications (PODC)", Proc. SPIE 6556, Micro (MEMS) and Nanotechnologies for Defense and Security, 65560N (3 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.721203

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