Frequency divider apparatus
AssigneesBoard of Trustees of Michigan State University, The Regents of the University of California
InventorsSteven SHAW, Brian S. STRACHAN, Kimberly L. Turner, Kamala Qalandar
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Abstract
A frequency divider apparatus includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (“MEMS”) divider that is configured to be driven by an input signal. The MEMS divider includes a passive mechanical device that generates multiple output signals. Each of the output signals has a frequency less than a frequency of the input signal.
Claims30
A frequency divider apparatus for dividing a frequency of an input signal, the frequency divider apparatus comprising a mechanical divider configured to receive the input signal and including a plurality of microbeams cascadingly arranged, wherein each of the plurality of microbeams is parametrically driven and each of the plurality of microbeams generates an output signal that has a frequency less than a frequency of the input signal.
A frequency divider apparatus comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) divider configured to be driven by an input signal, the MEMS divider including a passive mechanical device, the passive mechanical device generating multiple output signals in response to being driven by the input signal, and each of the output signals having a frequency less than a frequency of the input signal.
A frequency divider apparatus comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) divider configured to be driven by a drive signal, the MEMS divider including a plurality of subsystem resonators, wherein the plurality of subsystem resonators are connected to each other to form a chain, each of the plurality of subsystem resonators are parametrically driven, such that a given subsystem resonator generates an output signal.
A frequency divider apparatus comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) divider configured to be driven by an input signal, the MEMS divider including:
- a plurality of anchors;
- and
- a passive mechanical device generating one or more output signals in response to the input signal and including a plurality of microbeams extending from the plurality of anchors, wherein the plurality of microbeams are connected to each other, such that the plurality of microbeams form a chain in which the input signal is cascadingly transferred and divided by each of the microbeams.
A frequency divider apparatus comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) divider configured to be driven by an input signal, the MEMS divider including a passive mechanical device, the passive mechanical device generating a plurality of modes in response to being driven by the input signal, and each of the modes having a frequency less than a frequency of the input signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.