Patents by Inventor Aaron Caffee

Aaron Caffee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9252707
    Abstract: A technique for tracking changes in bias conditions of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes applying an electrode bias signal to an electrode of the MEMS device. The technique includes applying a mass bias signal to a mass of the MEMS device suspended from a substrate of the MEMS device. The technique includes generating the mass bias signal based on a target mass-to-electrode bias signal level and a signal level of the electrode bias signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Manu Seth, Aaron Caffee
  • Patent number: 9000833
    Abstract: A method for compensating for strain on a MEMS device includes generating a signal indicative of a strain on the MEMS device in a first mode of operating a system including the MEMS device. The method includes compensating for the strain in a second mode of operating the system based on the signal. Generating the signal may include comparing an indicator of a resonant frequency of the MEMS device to a predetermined resonant frequency of the MEMS device. Generating the signal may include comparing a first output of a strain-sensitive device to a second output of a strain-insensitive device and generating an indicator thereof. Generating the signal may include sensing a first capacitive transduction of strain-sensitive electrodes of the MEMS device in the first mode and generating the signal based thereon. The strain-sensitive electrodes of the MEMS device may be disabled in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Caffee, Emmanuel P. Quevy
  • Patent number: 8981860
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device configured as part of an oscillator. The MEMS device includes a mass suspended from a substrate of the MEMS, a first electrode configured to provide a first signal based on a displacement of the mass, and a second electrode configured to receive a second signal based on the first signal. The apparatus includes an amplifier coupled to the first electrode and a first node. The amplifier is configured to generate an output signal, the output signal being based on the first signal and a first gain. The apparatus includes an attenuator configured to attenuate the output signal based on a second gain and provide as the second signal an attenuated version of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Caffee, Manu Seth, Brian Drost
  • Publication number: 20140253219
    Abstract: A method for compensating for strain on a MEMS device includes generating a signal indicative of a strain on the MEMS device in a first mode of operating a system including the MEMS device. The method includes compensating for the strain in a second mode of operating the system based on the signal. Generating the signal may include comparing an indicator of a resonant frequency of the MEMS device to a predetermined resonant frequency of the MEMS device. Generating the signal may include comparing a first output of a strain-sensitive device to a second output of a strain-insensitive device and generating an indicator thereof. Generating the signal may include sensing a first capacitive transduction of strain-sensitive electrodes of the MEMS device in the first mode and generating the signal based thereon. The strain-sensitive electrodes of the MEMS device may be disabled in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Caffee, Emmanuel P. Quevy
  • Publication number: 20140176251
    Abstract: A technique for tracking changes in bias conditions of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes applying an electrode bias signal to an electrode of the MEMS device. The technique includes applying a mass bias signal to a mass of the MEMS device suspended from a substrate of the MEMS device. The technique includes generating the mass bias signal based on a target mass-to-electrode bias signal level and a signal level of the electrode bias signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Manu Seth, Aaron Caffee