9014 MEMS Driver System  

Pragmatic Instruments’ 9014 MEMS Driver System allows easy and accurate control of electrostatic actuator-driven engines. MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) are finding applications in airbag deployment systems, ink jet printers, laser beam mirror positioning systems, fiber optic signal switching, advanced displays and a variety of medical applications resulting in increased needs for drive systems. Each application requires unique waveforms and a system to convert these unique arbitrary waveforms into electrical signals suitable to meet the drive requirements. Pragmatic Instruments’ System was designed from the experience gained testing Sandia National Laboratories’ MEMS devices. Pragmatic’s 9014 MEMS Driver System includes Sandia’s Super mDriver™ software, plus two or more arbitrary waveform generators and a multi-channel MEMS amplifier.

Pragmatic Instruments distributes Sandia National Laboratories’ Super mDriver™ software as an integral part of the 9014 MEMS Driver System. Super mDriver™ software is the waveform design tool for easily creating uniquely optimized waveforms needed to drive MEMS devices. These unique waveforms maximize operational reliability by concentrating forces to be tangential to the maximum diameter of the gear being driven, thereby extending the life of the devices. Long, complicated waveform sequences can be created and modified without writing any computer programs. Once the files are downloaded into the arbitrary waveform generators, the System may be operated independent of the PC. Synchronization signals are included to trigger external hardware for collection of characterization data. The System is a cost-effective solution using dedicated arbitrary waveform generators and a compatible multi-channel voltage/current (electrostatic/thermal-drive) amplifier.

Copying and pasting of waveforms is fully supported, so phase-shifted waveforms are easily created with a minimum of effort. Changes to individual waveforms are automatically updated in the channel groups that use them.

MEMS are super miniature systems that can provide mechanical positioning by performing repeatable, precise movements. "Because of the size of the MEMS devices and the operational accuracy required, the system that drives these devices is critical," explains Pragmatic Instruments’ President, Henry Reinecke, Jr. "Our System is the only one which has been designed and tested specifically for maximizing MEMS operation, performance, and reliability."  The System delivery, depending on its complexity,  is 4 to 5 weeks.

Courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories' Intelligent Micromachine Initiative; www.mdl.sandia.gov/Micromachine.

This model is a fully integrated, versatile driver system for MEMS.

Now you can solve all your MEMS Driver needs like a pro!

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Revised: September 11, 2002