Development of a monolithic, multi-MEMS microsystem on a chip demonstrating iMEMS{trademark} VLSI technology. R and D status report number 10, January 1--March 31, 1996

This quarter saw the first silicon from the iMEMS{reg_sign} test chip, with complete circuits and beam structures. The wafers looked fine cosmetically and the circuits functioned as designed, but the beams suffered an anomaly that the authors have never seen before. Diagnostic work is under way to sort out the root cause, and other wafers are coming out this quarter to see if it was a one-time anomaly. Work on the process-development front has slowed because of the construction of a dedicated fabrication line for the last-generation process. With the current robust market place for ADI`s business, the existing fabrication line has been operating at 100% capacity. On the device front, great progress has been made by both Berkeley and ADI in the area of gyroscopes. Measurements of close to a degree per second or better have been made for gyros of all three axes and of both single- (linear) and double- (rotary) axis devices. In addition, ADI has designed a gyro that can be packaged in air that very well might meet some of the low-precision needs. Accelerometers of several new formats have been designed and several have been implemented in silicon. First samples of the ADXL 181 designed especially for the fuzing, safe and arming application have been assembled and are in characterization by ADI and others. In addition, 2-axis, Z-axis and digital output designs have been demonstrated. A 3-axis micro-watt accelerometer has been designed and is in fabrication. A 2-axis design for tilt applications is also nearing silicon realization. This portfolio of linear accelerometers, and even angular versions of the same provide, an arsenal of capability for specialized needs as they arise in both commercial and military applications