Mechanical Computing in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
Abstract
Mechanical computing devices in polysilicon-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) were designed with the goal of developing computing devices for harsh environments, such as those with high dose radiation and high temperatures, as well as devices that may be able to interface with molecular or biological computer systems. The devices that were designed include both analog and digital computing devices. The analog devices include integrators, differentials (summers), multipliers, and those that perform trigonometric functions. The digital devices that were designed are inverters, NAND, NOR, and XOR logic gates. Analog-to-digital (A-to-D) and digital-to-analog (D-to-A) converters were also designed. The designs were submitted to a commercial surface micromachining foundry to be fabricated. The completed MEMS devices were then released and tested to determine proper operation. Of the mechanical devices that have been fabricated and tested, a functioning inverter, sine function device, cosine function device, and digital-to-analog converter have been demonstrated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415137
Entities
People
- Kenneth C. Bradley
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology