U.S. patent application number 15/939994 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-03 for mems devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.. Invention is credited to James Thomas DEAS, Vivek SARAF, Ian Johnson SMITH.
Application Number | 20190306621 15/939994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68057460 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190306621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SMITH; Ian Johnson ; et
al. |
October 3, 2019 |
MEMS DEVICES
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a protection system for
protecting a MEMS transducer of a MEMS device from electrostatic
capture, wherein the MEMS transducer is operable in a
normal-sensitivity, mode and in a reduced-sensitivity mode. The
protection system comprises: an overload detector for detecting an
overload condition arising as a result of an excessive sound
pressure level at the MEMS transducer; a signal estimator
configured to generate an estimate of a sound pressure level at the
MEMS transducer; and a controller configured, in response to
detection by the overload detector of an overload condition, to:
disable an output of the MEMS transducer; and after a delay of a
first predetermined period of time: cause the MEMS transducer to
operate in the reduced-sensitivity mode; enable the output of the
MEMS transducer; and cause the MEMS transducer to return to the
normal-sensitivity mode if the estimate of the sound pressure level
generated by the signal estimator while the MEMS transducer is
operating in the reduced-sensitivity mode is below a safe sound
pressure level threshold for a second predetermined period of
time.
Inventors: |
SMITH; Ian Johnson;
(Rosewell, GB) ; DEAS; James Thomas; (Edinburgh,
GB) ; SARAF; Vivek; (Austin, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd. |
Edinburgh |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cirrus Logic International
Semiconductor Ltd.
Edinburgh
GB
|
Family ID: |
68057460 |
Appl. No.: |
15/939994 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 19/04 20130101;
H04R 3/007 20130101; H04R 2201/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 3/00 20060101
H04R003/00; H04R 19/04 20060101 H04R019/04 |
Claims
1. A protection system for protecting a MEMS transducer of a MEMS
device from electrostatic capture, wherein the MEMS transducer is
operable in a normal-sensitivity, mode and in a reduced-sensitivity
mode, wherein the protection system comprises: an overload detector
for detecting an overload condition arising as a result of an
excessive sound pressure level at the MEMS transducer; a signal
estimator configured to generate an estimate of a sound pressure
level at the MEMS transducer; and a controller configured, in
response to detection by the overload detector of an overload
condition, to: disable an output of the MEMS transducer; and after
a delay of a first predetermined period of time: cause the MEMS
transducer to operate in the reduced-sensitivity mode; enable the
output of the MEMS transducer; and cause the MEMS transducer to
return to the normal-sensitivity mode if the estimate of the sound
pressure level generated by the signal estimator while the MEMS
transducer is operating in the reduced-sensitivity mode is below a
safe sound pressure level threshold for a second predetermined
period of time.
2. A protection system according to claim 1 wherein the MEMS device
comprises: a charge pump configured to output a bias voltage to
bias the MEMS transducer; an amplifier configured to amplify an
analogue electrical signal output by the MEMS transducer in
response to a sound or pressure wave incident on the MEMS
transducer and to output an amplified analogue electrical signal;
and an analogue to digital converter (ADC) configured to convert
the amplified analogue signal output by the amplifier into a
digital audio output signal, wherein the charge pump is operable in
a first operating mode in which it outputs a first bias voltage to
the MEMS transducer to cause the MEMS transducer to operate in the
reduced-sensitivity mode and in a second operating mode in which it
outputs a second bias voltage to the MEMS transducer to cause the
MEMS transducer to operate in the normal-sensitivity mode.
3. A protection system according to claim 2 wherein the overload
detector is configured to compare a DC offset of a signal output by
the amplifier to an overload threshold and to output an overload
signal to the controller if the DC offset meets or exceeds the
overload threshold.
4. A protection system according to claim wherein the overload
detector is configured to output an overload signal to the
controller on detection of an over-range signal output by the ADC
in the event that a magnitude of the analogue electrical signal
output by the MEMS transducer exceeds a maximum input signal level
of the ADC.
5. A protection system according to claim 2 further comprising: a
MEMS transducer discharge switch activateable selectively to
discharge the MEMS transducer, wherein the controller is operative
to activate the MEMS transducer discharge switch on detection by
the overload detector of an overload condition.
6. A protection system according to claim 2 further comprising: a
charge pump filter; and a charge pump filter bypass switch
activateable selectively to bypass the charge pump filter, wherein
the controller is operative to activate the charge pump filter
bypass switch on detection by the overload detector of an overload
condition.
7. A protection system according to claim 2 wherein the protection
system further comprises: an output disable switch activateable
selectively to disable an output of the MEMS device, wherein the
controller is operative to activate the output disable switch on
detection by the overload detector of an overload condition.
8. A protection system according to claim 7 wherein the controller
is operative to deactivate the output disable switch after a third
predetermined period of time if the estimate of the sound pressure
level generated by the signal estimator is below the safe sound
pressure level threshold for the second predetermined period of
time.
9. A protection system according to claim 1 wherein: the first
predetermined period of time is of the order of 5 ms; or the second
predetermined period of time is of the order of 5 ms; or the third
predetermined period of time is of the order of 10 ms.
10. A protection system according to claim 2 wherein the first bias
voltage is of the order of 1 volt or wherein the second bias
voltage is of the order of 12 volts.
11. A protection system according to claim 1 further comprising a
switch network, wherein the switch network comprises: a charge pump
filter bypass switch coupled between first and second terminals of
the switch network; a MEMS transducer output disable switch coupled
between a third terminal of the switch network and a ground
terminal of the switch network; and an output disable switch
coupled between fourth and fifth terminals of the switch network,
wherein the switch network is coupled to the controller so as to
receive control signals from the controller.
12. A protection system according to claim 11 wherein the switch
network further comprises a MEMS transducer input discharge switch
coupled between a sixth terminal of the switch network and the
ground terminal of the switch network.
13. A MEMS device comprising a protection system according to claim
1.
14. A method for protecting a MEMS transducer of a MEMS audio
device from electrostatic capture, the method comprising: operating
the MEMS transducer in a normal sensitivity mode of operation;
detecting an overload signal indicative of an excessive sound
pressure level at the MEMS transducer; in response to detecting the
overload signal: disabling an output of the MEMS transducer; and
after a delay of a predetermined period of time: re-enabling the
output of the MEMS transducer; operating the MEMS transducer in a
reduced-sensitivity mode of operation; while operating the MEMS
transducer in the reduced-sensitivity mode, estimating a sound
pressure level at the MEMS transducer; and if the sound pressure
level at the MEMS transducer is below a safe sound pressure level
threshold for a second predetermined period of time, returning the
MEMS transducer to the normal sensitivity mode of operation.
15. A protection system for protecting a MEMS transducer from
electrostatic capture, the protection system comprising: a charge
pump configured to output a bias voltage to bias the MEMS
transducer, wherein the charge pump is configured to operate in a
first operating mode in which it outputs a first bias voltage and
in a second operating mode in which it outputs a second bias
voltage, wherein the second bias voltage is higher than the first
bias voltage; a controller configured to control the operating mode
of the charge pump; and a signal estimator configured to generate
an estimate of a sound pressure level of a sound or pressure wave
incident on the MEMS transducer, wherein the controller is
operative to cause the charge pump to operate initially in the
first operating mode; and wherein the controller is operative to
cause the charge pump to switch from the first operating mode to
the second operating mode if the estimate of the sound pressure
level is below a safe sound pressure level threshold.
16. A protection system according to claim 15 wherein the
controller is operative to cause the charge pump to switch from the
first operating mode to the second operating mode if the estimate
of the sound pressure level is below the safe sound pressure level
threshold for a first predetermined period of time.
17. A protection system according to claim 16 wherein the first
predetermined period of time is of the order of 5 ms.
18. An electronic apparatus comprising a MEMS device and a
protection system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic
apparatus comprises at least one of: a portable electronic device;
a battery powered device; a computing device; a communications
device; a gaming device; a mobile telephone; a media player; a
laptop, tablet or notebook computing device; a wearable device; or
a voice-activated or voice-controlled device.
19. An electronic apparatus comprising a MEMS device and a
protection system according to claim 15, wherein the electronic
apparatus comprises at least one of: a portable electronic device;
a battery powered device; a computing device; a communications
device; a gaming device; a mobile telephone; a media player; a
laptop, tablet or notebook computing device; a wearable device; or
a voice-activated or voice-controlled device.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of MEMS (Micro
Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices. In particular, the present
disclosure relates to a system and method for protecting a MEMS
transducer from electrostatic capture.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) transducers such as
MEMS microphones are increasingly finding application in portable
electronic devices such as mobile telephones, laptop and tablet
computers, audio and video players, personal digital assistants
(PDAs) and wearable devices such as smart watches, at least in part
due to the small size of such transducers.
[0003] Transducers such as capacitive microphones or pressure
sensor devices formed using MEMS fabrication processes typically
comprise an electrode that is moveable with respect to a fixed
electrode in response to incident acoustic or pressure waves, such
that the fixed electrode and the moveable electrode together form a
variable capacitance. The moveable electrode may, for example, be
supported by a flexible membrane. In use a first one of the
electrodes may be biased by a relatively high, stable bias voltage
V.sub.BIAS, which may be of the order of 12V, whilst the other
electrode is biased to another fixed voltage V.sub.REF, typically
ground, via a very high impedance, for example, of the order of 10
G.OMEGA.. Acoustic or pressure waves incident on the transducer
will cause displacement of the moveable electrode with respect to
the fixed electrode, thus changing the spacing between these
electrodes and hence the inter-electrode capacitance. As the second
electrode of the transducer is biased via a very high impedance,
these changes in capacitance cause an output signal voltage to
appear at an output terminal of the transducer. Given the small
capacitance of the MEMS transducer this output signal voltage is
relatively small and thus the output signal voltage is typically
amplified by a low-noise amplifier (LNA) arrangement.
[0004] The spacing between the fixed electrode and the moveable
electrode in an equilibrium position (i.e. in the absence of an
incident acoustic or pressure wave) is typically of the order of
1-3 .mu.m. Under normal operating conditions the displacement of
the moveable electrode towards the fixed electrode in response to
incident acoustic or pressure waves may be up to 30% of the average
spacing between the fixed electrode and the moveable electrode in
its equilibrium position, i.e. if the average spacing between the
fixed electrode and the moveable electrode in the equilibrium
position is Spm then the displacement of the moveable electrode
towards the fixed electrode by an incident pressure wave may be up
to 1 .mu.m. Thus the spacing, i.e. air gap, between the moveable
electrode and the fixed electrode during normal operation of a MEMS
transducer may be as small as 2 .mu.m at times.
[0005] A problem can arise if the MEMS transducer is subjected to
an excessive sound pressure level (SPL) arising from, for example,
use in a very loud environment or acoustic shock such as can occur
if a device incorporating the transducer is tapped or dropped. In
such circumstances the displacement of the moveable electrode may
exceed its normal operating range, and the moveable electrode may
as a consequence be electrostatically captured by the fixed
electrode. In this captured state the sensitivity of the transducer
is greatly reduced and audio is not properly captured by the
transducer. There is also a risk of permanent mechanical stiction
of the moveable electrode to the fixed electrode if the fixed
electrode and the moveable electrode do not incorporate design
features to mitigate the risk of contact. In the event that the
moveable electrode is electrostatically captured by the fixed
electrode, it is unable to return to its normal operating state
until it is discharged, which typically only occurs after a supply
voltage to the moveable electrode is disconnected.
[0006] Protection systems exist to protect the LNA arrangement from
excessive input voltages that may arise as a result of an event
that gives rise to an excessive SPL at the transducer. Such systems
typically operate by detecting the event and disabling an input of
the LNA arrangement for a predefined period of time. During the
predefined period of time the moveable electrode of the MEMS
transducer may be discharged, to release it from the fixed
electrode if it has been electrostatically captured by the fixed
electrode.
[0007] At the end of the predefined period of time the input of the
LNA arrangement is re-enabled and the moveable electrode is
re-charged to its normal operating level, thus permitting normal
use of the MEMS transducer and LNA arrangement.
[0008] One problem with protection systems of the kind described
above is that there is no check, prior to re-enabling the input of
the LNA arrangement and re-charging the moveable electrode to its
normal level, if the SPL at the transducer has returned to a safe
level at that time. Thus, it is possible that the input of the LNA
arrangement will be re-enabled and the moveable electrode will be
re-charged while an excessive SPL is still present at the
transducer, leading to the moveable electrode being
electrostatically captured again and the attendant risk of
permanent stiction, as well as the required inoperative period of
the transducer while the moveable electrode is discharged to
release it from the fixed electrode and subsequently
re-charged.
[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for a system that protects a MEMS
transducer from electrostatic capture.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a
protection system for protecting a MEMS transducer of a MEMS device
from electrostatic capture, wherein the MEMS transducer is operable
in a normal-sensitivity, mode and in a reduced-sensitivity mode,
wherein the protection system comprises: an overload detector for
detecting an overload condition arising as a result of an excessive
sound pressure level at the MEMS transducer; a signal estimator
configured to generate an estimate of a sound pressure level at the
MEMS transducer; and a controller configured, in response to
detection by the overload detector of an overload condition, to:
disable an output of the MEMS transducer; and after a delay of a
first predetermined period of time: cause the MEMS transducer to
operate in the reduced-sensitivity mode; enable the output of the
MEMS transducer; and cause the MEMS transducer to return to the
normal-sensitivity mode if the estimate of the sound pressure level
generated by the signal estimator while the MEMS transducer is
operating in the reduced-sensitivity mode is below a safe sound
pressure level threshold for a second predetermined period of
time.
[0011] The MEMS device of the protection system may comprise: a
charge pump configured to output a bias voltage to bias the MEMS
transducer; an amplifier configured to amplify an analogue
electrical signal output by the MEMS transducer in response to a
sound or pressure wave incident on the MEMS transducer and to
output an amplified analogue electrical signal; and an analogue to
digital converter (ADC) configured to convert the amplified
analogue signal output by the amplifier into a digital audio output
signal, and the charge pump may be operable in a first operating
mode in which it outputs a first bias voltage to the MEMS
transducer to cause the MEMS transducer to operate in the
reduced-sensitivity mode and in a second operating mode in which it
outputs a second bias voltage to the MEMS transducer to cause the
MEMS transducer to operate in the normal-sensitivity mode.
[0012] The overload detector may be configured to compare a DC
offset of a signal output by the amplifier to an overload threshold
and to output an overload signal to the controller if the DC offset
meets or exceeds the overload threshold.
[0013] The overload detector may be configured to output an
overload signal to the controller on detection of an over-range
signal output by the ADC in the event that a magnitude of the
analogue electrical signal output by the MEMS transducer exceeds a
maximum input signal level of the ADC.
[0014] The protection system may further comprise: a MEMS
transducer discharge switch activateable selectively to discharge
the MEMS transducer, wherein the controller is operative to
activate the MEMS transducer discharge switch on detection by the
overload detector of an overload condition.
[0015] The protection system may further comprise: a charge pump
filter; and a charge pump filter bypass switch activateable
selectively to bypass the charge pump filter, wherein the
controller is operative to activate the charge pump filter bypass
switch on detection by the overload detector of an overload
condition.
[0016] The protection system may further comprise: an output
disable switch activateable selectively to disable an output of the
MEMS device, wherein the controller is operative to activate the
output disable switch on detection by the overload detector of an
overload condition.
[0017] The controller may be operative to deactivate the output
disable switch after a third predetermined period of time if the
estimate of the sound pressure level generated by the signal
estimator is below the safe sound pressure level threshold for the
second predetermined period of time.
[0018] The first predetermined period of time may be of the order
of 5 ms.
[0019] The second predetermined period of time may be of the order
of 5 ms.
[0020] The third predetermined period of time may be of the order
of 10 ms.
[0021] The first bias voltage may be of the order of 1 volt.
[0022] The second bias voltage may be of the order of 12 volts.
[0023] The protection system may further comprise a switch network,
wherein the switch network comprises: a charge pump filter bypass
switch coupled between first and second terminals of the switch
network; a MEMS transducer output disable switch coupled between a
third terminal of the switch network and a ground terminal of the
switch network; and an output disable switch coupled between fourth
and fifth terminals of the switch network, wherein the switch
network is coupled to the controller so as to receive control
signals from the controller.
[0024] The switch network may further comprise a MEMS transducer
input discharge switch coupled between a sixth terminal of the
switch network and the ground terminal of the switch network.
[0025] A second aspect of the invention provides a MEMS device
comprising a protection system according to the first aspect.
[0026] A third aspect of the invention provides a method for
protecting a MEMS transducer of a MEMS audio device from
electrostatic capture, the method comprising: operating the MEMS
transducer in a normal sensitivity mode of operation; detecting an
overload signal indicative of an excessive sound pressure level at
the MEMS transducer; in response to detecting the overload signal:
disabling an output of the MEMS transducer; and after a delay of a
predetermined period of time: re-enabling the output of the MEMS
transducer; operating the MEMS transducer in a reduced-sensitivity
mode of operation; while operating the MEMS transducer in the
reduced-sensitivity mode, estimating a sound pressure level at the
MEMS transducer; and if the sound pressure level at the MEMS
transducer is below a safe sound pressure level threshold for a
second predetermined period of time, returning the MEMS transducer
to the normal sensitivity mode of operation.
[0027] A fourth aspect of the invention provides a protection
system for protecting a MEMS transducer from electrostatic capture,
the protection system comprising: a charge pump configured to
output a bias voltage to bias the MEMS transducer, wherein the
charge pump is configured to operate in a first operating mode in
which it outputs a first bias voltage and in a second operating
mode in which it outputs a second bias voltage, wherein the second
bias voltage is higher than the first bias voltage; a controller
configured to control the operating mode of the charge pump; and a
signal estimator configured to generate an estimate of a sound
pressure level of a sound or pressure wave incident on the MEMS
transducer, wherein the controller is operative to cause the charge
pump to switch from the first operating mode to the second
operating mode if the estimate of the sound pressure level is below
a safe sound pressure level threshold.
[0028] The controller may be operative to cause the charge pump to
switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode
if the estimate of the sound pressure level is below the safe sound
pressure level threshold for a first predetermined period of
time.
[0029] The first predetermined period of time may be of the order
of 5 ms.
[0030] A fifth aspect of the invention provides an electronic
apparatus comprising a MEMS device and a protection system
according to the third aspect, wherein the electronic apparatus
comprises at least one of: a portable electronic device; a battery
powered device; a computing device; a communications device; a
gaming device; a mobile telephone; a media player; a laptop, tablet
or notebook computing device; a wearable device; or a
voice-activated or voice-controlled device.
[0031] A sixth aspect of the invention provides an electronic
apparatus comprising a MEMS device and a protection system
according to the third aspect, wherein the electronic apparatus
comprises at least one of: a portable electronic device; a battery
powered device; a computing device; a communications device; a
gaming device; a mobile telephone; a media player; a laptop, tablet
or notebook computing device; a wearable device; or a
voice-activated or voice-controlled device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, strictly
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating
a MEMS device including a system for protecting a MEMS transducer
from electrostatic capture;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating
a MEMS device including a system for protecting a MEMS transducer
from electrostatic capture incorporating a switch network;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed in a
method for protecting a MEMS transducer from electrostatic capture
following an excessive SPL event; and
[0036] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating steps performed in a
method for protecting a MEMS transducer from electrostatic capture
on start-up of a device incorporating the MEMS transducer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Referring first to FIG. 1, an example of a MEMS device,
which may be, for example, a MEMS microphone device, is shown
generally at 100, and includes a MEMS transducer 102 (represented
here as a variable capacitor), a charge pump 104, a charge pump
filter 106 made up of a resistor 108 and a capacitor 110, a low
noise amplifier (LNA) 112 and an analogue to digital converter
(ADC) 114.
[0038] The MEMS device 100 also includes elements for implementing
a system for protecting the MEMS transducer 102 against
electrostatic capture, including an overload detector 116, a signal
estimator 118, a controller 120, a charge pump filter bypass switch
122, a MEMS transducer output disable switch 126 and an audio
output disable switch 128. In some implementations a MEMS
transducer input discharge switch 124 may also be provided.
Additionally or alternatively, the charge pump 104 may be
controllable to discharge the MEMS transducer 102.
[0039] The charge pump 104 is connected to a first, moveable,
electrode of the MEMS transducer 102, via the charge pump filter
106, and is configured to supply a bias voltage V.sub.BIAS to the
first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102.
[0040] A second, fixed, electrode of the MEMS transducer 102 is
connected to an input of the low noise amplifier (LNA) 112, which
is configured to amplify a signal output by the MEMS transducer 102
and output this amplified signal to the ADC 114. A bias resistor
132 having a very high impedance (of the order of 10 G.OMEGA. or
greater) is coupled between the input of the LNA 112 and ground, to
bias the LNA input to ground without shorting out an audio band
signal output by the MEMS transducer 102. The bias resistor 132 may
be implemented using polysilicon diodes, for example.
[0041] The ADC 114 is configured to digitise the analogue signal
output by the LNA 112 and to output a digital audio output signal
to a terminal 130. This digital audio output signal may be
processed digitally by downstream components (not illustrated),
which may be part of the device 100, or may alternatively be
external to the device 100.
[0042] The overload detector 116 is configured to detect an
overload condition arising as a result of an excessive SPL event at
the MEMS transducer 102 and to output a signal to the controller
120 when such an overload condition is detected. To this end,
inputs of the overload detector are connected to an output of the
LNA 112 and to an over-range output of the ADC 114, and an output
of the overload detector 116 is connected to an input of the
controller 120.
[0043] The signal estimator 118 is configured to estimate the SPL
at the MEMS transducer 102, based on the digital signal output by
the ADC 114, and to output a signal to the controller 120 when the
estimated SPL at the MEMS transducer 102 falls to a safe level. To
this end, in the illustrated example an input of the signal
estimator 118 is connected to an output of the ADC 114 and an
output of the signal estimator 118 is connected to an input of the
controller 120. In other examples the signal estimator may be
incorporated within the ADC 114.
[0044] The controller 120 is configured to receive the signals
output by the overload detector 116 and the signal estimator 118
and to output appropriate control signals to the charge pump 104,
charge pump filter bypass switch 122, MEMS transducer input
discharge switch 124 (where provided), and MEMS transducer output
disable switch 126 in order to protect the MEMS transducer 102 from
electrostatic capture, and to output control signals to the audio
output disable switch 128, as described below with reference to
FIG. 3.
[0045] The charge pump filter bypass switch 122 can be activated
selectively to bypass the charge pump filter 106 by connecting its
input to its output, thereby disabling the charge pump filter 106.
The MEMS transducer input discharge switch 124 (where provided) can
be selectively activated to connect the first electrode of the MEMS
transducer 102 to ground, thereby discharging the first electrode
of the MEMS transducer 102. The MEMS transducer output disable
switch 126 is selectively activated to connect the second electrode
of the MEMS transducer 102 to ground, thereby disabling the output
of the MEMS transducer 102, and the audio output disable switch 128
is selectively activated to disconnect the output of the ADC 114
from the terminal 130, thereby effectively opening the signal path
and thus disabling the outputting of the digital audio output
signal.
[0046] In normal operation of the MEMS device 100, the charge pump
filter bypass switch 122, MEMS transducer input discharge switch
124 (where provided) and MEMS transducer output disable switch 126
are open and the audio output disable switch 128 is closed.
Acoustic or pressure waves are incident on the MEMS transducer 102,
which outputs an analogue electrical signal representing the SPL of
the incident acoustic or pressure waves to the LNA 112. The LNA 112
outputs an amplified version of this analogue electrical signal to
an input of the ADC 114. The ADC 114 is configured to digitise the
analogue signal output by the LNA 112 and to output a digital audio
output signal to a terminal 130. This digital audio output signal
may be processed digitally by downstream components (not
illustrated), which may be part of the device 100, or may
alternatively be external to the device 100.
[0047] The charge pump filter bypass switch 122, MEMS transducer
input discharge switch 124 (where provided), MEMS transducer output
disable switch 126 and audio output disable switch 128 may be
provided as individual switches associated with the charge pump
filter 106, MEMS transducer 102 and output terminal 130, as shown
in FIG. 1. Alternatively, these switches may be provided as part of
a switch network, as will now be described with respect to FIG.
2.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram illustrating
a MEMS device including a system for protecting a MEMS transducer
from electrostatic capture incorporating a switch network. The MEMS
device, shown generally at 150 in FIG. 2, includes many of the
elements of the MEMS device 100 of FIG. 1. Those elements that are
common to the MEMS device 100 of FIG. 2 and the MEMS device 150 of
FIG. 1 are denoted by common reference signs. For reasons of
clarity and brevity those common elements will not be described
here.
[0049] The MEMS device 150 includes a switching network 160 which
includes a switches to implement the functionality of the charge
pump filter bypass switch 122, MEMS transducer input discharge
switch 124, MEMS transducer output disable switch 126 and audio
output disable switch 128 of the MEMS device 100 of FIG. 1.
[0050] Thus, the switching network 160 includes a charge pump
bypass switch 122, coupled between first and second terminals of
the switch network 160 that can be coupled to respective input and
output nodes of the charge pump filter 106, such that when the
charge pump bypass switch 122 is closed the charge pump filter 106
is bypassed.
[0051] The switching network may also include a MEMS transducer
input discharge switch 124, coupled between a third terminal of the
switching network 160 and a ground terminal of the switching
network 160. The third terminal of the switching network can be
coupled to the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102, such
that when the MEMS transducer input discharge switch 124 is closed
the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102 is coupled to ground
to discharge the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102.
[0052] The switching network also includes a MEMS transducer output
disable switch 126, coupled between a fourth terminal of the
switching network 160 and the ground terminal of the switching
network 160. The fourth terminal of the switching network can be
coupled to the second electrode of the MEMS transducer 102, such
that when the MEMS transducer output disable switch 126 is closed
the second electrode of the MEMS transducer 102 is coupled to
ground to disable the output of the MEMS transducer 102.
[0053] The switching network also includes an audio output disable
switch 128, coupled between a fifth terminal of the switching
network 160 and sixth terminal of the switching network 160, which
is in turn coupled to a digital audio output terminal 130 of the
MEMS device 130. The fifth terminal of the switching network can be
coupled to the output of the ADC 114, such that when the audio
output disable switch 128 is open the output of the ADC 114 is
isolated from the digital audio output terminal 130, effectively
disabling the digital audio output.
[0054] The switch network 160 is coupled to the controller 120 of
the MEMS device 150. The controller 120 is operative to receive
signals output by the overload detector 116 and the signal
estimator 118 and to output appropriate control signals to the
charge pump 104 and to the switch network 160 to operate the charge
pump bypass switch 122, MEMS transducer input discharge switch 124
(if provided), MEMS transducer output disable switch 126 and audio
output disable switch 128 of the switch network as described below
with reference to FIG. 3.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a method 200
performed by the MEMS device 100 to protect the MEMS transducer 102
from repeated electrostatic capture in the event of an excessive
SPL event.
[0056] At 202, an excessive SPL event occurs. For example, a device
incorporating the MEMS transducer 102 may be dropped or tapped, or
else may be placed in an environment where the ambient sound level
is very high.
[0057] As a result of the excessive SPL event, sound or pressure
waves are incident on the moveable first electrode of the MEMS
transducer 102 causing displacement of the moveable first electrode
towards the fixed second electrode. In some instances the extent of
the displacement of the moveable first electrode is such that the
moveable first electrode comes into close enough proximity to the
fixed second electrode to cause the moveable first electrode to be
electrostatically captured by the fixed second electrode of the
MEMS transducer 102. The MEMS transducer 102 outputs an analogue
electrical signal representing the SPL of the incident sound or
pressure waves to the LNA 112, which outputs an amplified version
of this electrical signal to an input of the ADC 114 and to the
overload detector 116.
[0058] The ADC 114 converts this received analogue input signal
into a digital output signal. If the magnitude of the received
analogue input signal is greater than a maximum predetermined input
voltage of the ADC 114 (i.e. is outside the normal operating range
of the ADC 114), the ADC 114 may output a signal indicative of this
over-range condition at its over-range output.
[0059] The overload detector 116 may be configured to detect an
overload condition, for example by evaluating a DC offset of the
signal output by the LNA 112. If the DC offset of the signal output
by the LNA 112 meets or exceeds a predefined overload threshold, an
overload condition exists, and the overload detector 116 outputs an
overload signal to the controller 120.
[0060] The overload detector 116 may additionally or alternatively
evaluate a signal received from the over-range output of the ADC
114 to determine whether an overload condition has been detected.
If a signal indicative of an over-range condition is present at the
over-range output of the ADC 114, an overload condition exists and
the overload detector 116 outputs an overload signal to the
controller 120.
[0061] If an overload condition is detected at step 204 (either by
the presence of a DC offset in the output of the LNA 112 that meets
or exceeds the predefined overload threshold or by the presence at
the over-range output of the ADC 114 of a signal indicative of an
over-range condition), then at step 206 the controller 120 issues
control signals to the charge pump 104, to the charge pump filter
bypass switch 122, to the MEMS transducer input discharge switch
124 (where provided), to the MEMS transducer output disable switch
126 and to the audio output disable switch 128 as follows.
[0062] The controller 120 outputs a control signal to the audio
output disable switch 128, causing the audio output disable switch
128 to open, thereby isolating the output of the ADC 114 from the
terminal 130, effectively disabling the digital audio output such
that a digital representation of mute is output at the terminal
130. Alternatively, the audio output disable switch 128 may be left
closed, such that an attenuated digital audio signal is allowed to
pass to the terminal 130.
[0063] The controller 120 outputs a control signal to the MEMS
transducer output disable switch 126, causing the MEMS transducer
output disable switch 126 to close, connecting the output of the
MEMS transducer 102 to ground, thereby effectively disabling the
output of the MEMS transducer 102 and protecting the input of the
LNA 112 from potentially damaging input voltages.
[0064] If the MEMS transducer input discharge switch 124 is
provided, the controller 120 outputs a control signal to the MEMS
transducer input discharge switch 124, causing the it to close,
thereby connecting the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102
to ground, allowing the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102
to discharge. Alternative, if no MEMS transducer input discharge
switch 124 is provided, a control signal may be output by the
controller 120 to the charge pump 104 to cause the charge pump 104
to discharge the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 104. By
discharging the first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102, either
by means of the MEMS transducer input discharge switch 124 or by
means of the charge pump 104, the moveable first electrode can be
released from the fixed second electrode if it has been
electrostatically captured.
[0065] The controller 120 outputs a control signal to the charge
pump filter bypass switch 122, causing the charge pump filter
bypass switch 122 to close, thereby bypassing the charge pump
filter 106. Bypassing the charge pump filter 106 in this way allows
the charge pump 104 to discharge.
[0066] At step 208, the controller 120 waits for a first
predetermined period that is long enough to discharge the charge
pump and MEMS, and for the excessive SPL event to cease. For
example, the first predetermined period may be 5 ms, or of the
order of 5 ms.
[0067] Once the first predetermined period has expired, at step
210, the MEMS device 100 begins to operate in a protected mode. The
controller 120 outputs a control signal to the charge pump 104, to
cause the charge pump 104 to operate in a first mode at which it
outputs a first bias voltage V.sub.BIAS1 to the MEMS transducer
102. The first bias voltage V.sub.BIAS1 is a relatively low
voltage, for example 1 volt. At the same time, the controller 120
outputs control signals to the charge pump filter bypass switch
122, to the MEMS transducer discharge switch 124, and to the MEMS
transducer output disable switch 126, to cause those switches to
open, thereby enabling the charge pump filter 122 and the output of
the MEMS transducer 102, and establishing a signal path from the
output of the MEMS transducer 102 to the LNA 112.
[0068] In the protected mode the sensitivity of the MEMS transducer
102 is reduced, in comparison to its sensitivity when the MEMS
device 100 is not operating in the protected mode, due to the
relatively low bias voltage V.sub.BIAS1. Because of the relatively
low bias voltage V.sub.BIAS1, the charge on the moveable first
electrode when the MEMS device 100 is operating in the protected
mode is lower than it would be in normal operation of the MEMS
device 100. In this condition, the membrane static displacement and
the sensitivity are less than they would be in normal operation,
and thus there is a reduced likelihood that the moveable first
electrode will be electrostatically captured by the fixed second
electrode in the event that the excessive SPL event persists.
[0069] The MEMS transducer 102 outputs an electrical signal
representing the SPL at the MEMS transducer 102 to the LNA 112,
which outputs an amplified version of this electrical signal to an
input of the ADC 114 and to the overload detector 116.
[0070] The signal estimator 118 estimates the SPL at the MEMS
transducer 102, based on the signal output by the ADC 114, over a
predetermined period of time, which may be, for example, 5 ms or of
the order of 5 ms. The signal estimator 118 compares the estimated
signal level to a safe SPL threshold to determine whether the SPL
at the MEMS transducer 102 is safe, in the sense that it will not
cause electrostatic capture of the moveable membrane of the MEMS
transducer 102. If the estimated signal level is below the safe SPL
threshold for the predetermined period of time, the signal
estimator 118 outputs a signal to the controller 120 indicating
that the SPL at the MEMS transducer 102 has fallen to a safe
level.
[0071] In response to this signal, the controller 120 outputs a
control signal to the charge pump 104, to cause the charge pump 104
to operate in a second mode at which it outputs a second bias
voltage V.sub.BIAS2 (which is the bias voltage applied to the MEMS
transducer 102 in normal operation of the MEMS device 100). The
second bias voltage V.sub.BIAS2 is a relatively high voltage, for
example 12 volts. The controller 120 waits for a second
predetermined period of time to allow the moveable first electrode
of the MEMS transducer 102 to charge to the second bias voltage
V.sub.BIAS2. The second predetermined period of time may be, for
example 10 ms or of the order of 10 ms. At the end of the a second
predetermined period of time the controller 120 outputs a control
signal to the audio output disable switch 128, causing the audio
output disable switch 128 to close, thereby reconnecting the MEMS
device 100 to the terminal 130 to re-enable the digital audio
output. The MEMS device 100 is then able to operate as normal.
[0072] The method described above with respect to FIG. 3 is
performed by the MEMS device 100 to protect the MEMS transducer 102
from repeated electrostatic capture in the event of an excessive
SPL event, but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the method of FIG. 3 may be adapted to protect the MEMS
transducer 102 from electrostatic capture resulting from the
presence of an excessive sound pressure level at the MEMS
transducer 102 on start-up of the MEMS device 100, as will now be
discussed with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 4.
[0073] In the method 300 of FIG. 4, the MEMS device 100 starts up
at step 302. At step 304 the controller 120 outputs a control
signal to the charge pump 104, to cause the charge pump 104 to
operate in its first mode to output the first bias voltage
V.sub.BIAS1 to the MEMS transducer 102. At the same time, the
controller 120 outputs control signals to the charge pump filter
bypass switch 122, to the MEMS transducer input discharge switch
124 (if provided) and to the MEMS transducer output disable switch
126, to cause those switches to open, thereby enabling the charge
pump filter 122 and the output of the MEMS transducer 102, and
establishing a signal path from the output of the MEMS transducer
102 to the LNA 112. Thus, on start-up the MEMS device 100 operates
in the protected mode described above.
[0074] The MEMS transducer 102 outputs an analogue electrical
signal representing the SPL of incident sound or pressure waves at
the MEMS transducer 102 to the LNA 112, which outputs an amplified
version of this analogue electrical signal to an input of the ADC
114 and to the overload detector 116.
[0075] At step 306 the signal estimator 118 estimates the sound
pressure level at the MEMS transducer 102, based on the signal
output by the ADC 114, over the predetermined period of time. At
step 308 the signal estimator 118 compares the estimated signal
level to the safe sound pressure level threshold to determine
whether the sound pressure level at the MEMS transducer 102 is
safe, in the sense that it will not cause electrostatic capture of
the moveable membrane of the MEMS transducer 102. If the estimated
signal level is below the safe sound pressure level threshold for
the predetermined period of time, the signal estimator 118 outputs
a signal to the controller 120 indicating that the sound pressure
level at the MEMS transducer 102 has fallen to a safe level.
[0076] In response to this signal the controller 120 outputs (at
step 310) a control signal to the charge pump 104, to cause the
charge pump 104 to operate in the second mode in which it outputs
the second bias voltage V.sub.BIAS2. The controller 120 waits for
the second predetermined period of time (step 312) to allow the
moveable first electrode of the MEMS transducer 102 to charge to
the second bias voltage V.sub.BIAS2. At the end of the a second
predetermined period of time the controller 120 outputs a control
signal to the audio output disable switch 128, causing the audio
output disable switch 128 to close, thereby re-enabling the digital
audio output (step 314) and permitting normal operation of the MEMS
device 100.
[0077] As will be appreciated, the system and methods described
above provide a mechanism for protecting a MEMS transducer such as
a MEMS microphone or pressure sensor transducer from electrostatic
capture.
[0078] Embodiments may be implemented in a range of applications
and in particular are suitable for audio applications.
[0079] Embodiments may be implemented as an integrated circuit
which in some examples could be a codec or audio DSP or similar.
Embodiments may be incorporated in an electronic device, which may
for example be a portable device and/or a device operable with
battery power. The device could be a communication device such as a
mobile telephone or smartphone or similar. The device could be a
computing device such as notebook, laptop or tablet computing
device. The device could be a gaming device. The device could be a
wearable device such as a smartwatch. The device could be a device
with voice control or activation functionality. In some instances
the device could be an accessory device such as a headset or the
like to be used with some other product.
[0080] The skilled person will recognise that some aspects of the
above-described apparatus and methods, for example the discovery
and configuration methods may be embodied as processor control
code, for example on a non-volatile carrier medium such as a disk,
CD- or DVD-ROM, programmed memory such as read only memory
(Firmware), or on a data carrier such as an optical or electrical
signal carrier. For many applications, embodiments will be
implemented on a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application
Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate
Array). Thus the code may comprise conventional program code or
microcode or, for example code for setting up or controlling an
ASIC or FPGA. The code may also comprise code for dynamically
configuring re-configurable apparatus such as re-programmable logic
gate arrays. Similarly the code may comprise code for a hardware
description language such as Verilog.TM. or VHDL (Very high speed
integrated circuit Hardware Description Language). As the skilled
person will appreciate, the code may be distributed between a
plurality of coupled components in communication with one another.
Where appropriate, the embodiments may also be implemented using
code running on a field-(re)programmable analogue array or similar
device in order to configure analogue hardware.
[0081] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments
illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled
in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments
without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The word
"comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps
other than those listed in a claim, "a" or "an" does not exclude a
plurality, and a single feature or other unit may fulfil the
functions of several units recited in the claims. Any reference
numerals or labels in the claims shall not be construed so as to
limit their scope.
* * * * *