Transducer Interface Electronics in Multi-Element Microsystems

Assistant Professor
Michigan State University
Abstract
Sensor interface electronics link transducers to system control circuitry and play a key role in intelligent microsystems and many emerging microinstruments. Reconfigurable interface circuitry, which can be programmed to meet the needs of a wide variety of sensors/actuators, is especially useful due to the broad range of output/drive signals available in modern transducers. A Universal Micro-Sensor Interface (UMSI) circuit designed for low-power microsystems that support multiple sensors and actuators will be described. The interface chip contains all necessary reference, readout, control, and communication circuitry to interface a range of capacitive, resistive, voltage, or digital output devices to system control hardware. For online configuration of many parameters including readout gain and offset, this versatile chip is highly programmable through a sensor bus. The chip also incorporates a temperature sensor for compensation, an SPI interface, general purpose digital I/O, and an interrupt control unit for switch-type sensors. Fabricated in a foundry 3M 2P 0.5mm CMOS process, the 2.22mm x 2.22mm die draws 6.7 mA to 4 mA, (depending on configuration) from a 3V supply. Design issues and preliminary test results will be presented.

Bio
Andrew Mason received the BS in Physics with highest distinction from Western Kentucky University in 1991, the BSEE from The Georgia Institute of Technology in 1992, and the MS and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1994 and 2000, respectively. From 1997 to 1999 he was an Electronic Systems Engineer at Canopus Systems Inc. and from 1999 to 2001 he was an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky. In 2001 he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan State University where he is currently an Assistant Professor. His research focuses on low power microsystem networks, mixed-signal VLSI circuits for signal processing, communication, and sensor interface, and integrated biosensor arrays. Dr. Mason is a member of the IEEE, Phi Eta Sigma and Sigma Pi Sigma.