Date of Award

3-1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Charles P. Brothers, Jr. PhD

Abstract

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is a rapidly growing technology that lends itself particularly well to optical applications. An example of an optical MEMS device is the piston-action mirror that modulates the phase of reflected light. The phase of reflected light can be varied using thermal or electrostatic actuation to control the position of the mirror. In previous research, a modulation method to control thermally actuated mirrors was developed. This thesis presents the development, implementation, fabrication, and testing of a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) controller capable of directly interfacing between a digital system, such as a computer, and an electrostatically actuated MEMS mirror device. The controller pulse width modulates a supply voltage to vary the power applied to the MEMS mirror device. The MEMS mirror device responds with negligible position ripple to the applied average power of the pulse width modulation signal. By varying the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal, the position of the mirror is varied. This controller can be adapted to control other electrostatically actuated devices using the design and methodology described in this thesis. The implementation of this controller is a step toward the monolithic integration of a MEMS deformable mirror array with CMOS control electronics.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GE-ENG-99M-25

DTIC Accession Number

ADA361750

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

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