6,287 research outputs found
Workload-Based Configuration of MEMS-Based Storage Devices for Mobile Systems
Because of its small form factor, high capacity, and expected low cost, MEMS-based storage is a suitable storage technology for mobile systems. However, flash memory may outperform MEMS-based storage in terms of performance, and energy-efficiency. The problem is that MEMS-based storage devices have a large number (i.e., thousands) of heads, and to deliver peak performance, all heads must be deployed simultaneously to access each single sector. Since these devices are mechanical and thus some housekeeping information is needed for each head, this results in a huge capacity loss and increases the energy consumption of MEMS-based storage with respect to flash.
We solve this problem by proposing new techniques to lay out data in MEMS-based storage devices. Data layouts represent optimizations in a design space spanned by three parameters: the number of active heads, sector parallelism, and sector size. We explore this design space and show that by exploiting knowledge of the expected workload, MEMS-based devices can employ all heads, thus delivering peak performance, while decreasing the energy consumption and compromising only a little on the capacity. Our exploration shows that MEMS-based storage is competitive with flash in most cases, and outperforms flash in a few cases
Design, Fabrication and Characterization of a Piezoelectric Microgenerator Including a Power Management Circuit
We report in this paper the design, fabrication and experimental
characterization of a piezoelectric MEMS microgenerator. This device scavenges
the energy of ambient mechanical vibrations characterized by frequencies in the
range of 1 kHz. This component is made with Aluminum Nitride thin film
deposited with a CMOS compatible process. Moreover we analyze two possible
solutions for the signal rectification: a discrete doubler-rectifier and a full
custom power management circuit. The ASIC developed for this application takes
advantage of diodes with very low threshold voltage and therefore allows the
conversion of extremely low input voltages corresponding to very weak input
accelerations. The volume of the proposed generator is inferior to 1mm3 and the
generated powers are in the range of 1W. This system is intended to supply
power to autonomous wireless sensor nodes.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association
(http://irevues.inist.fr/EDA-Publishing
Microsystems technology: objectives
This contribution focuses on the objectives of microsystems technology (MST). The reason for this is two fold. First of all, it should explain what MST actually is. This question is often posed and a simple answer is lacking, as a consequence of the diversity of subjects that are perceived as MST. The second reason is that a map of the somewhat chaotic field of MST is needed to identify sub-territories, for which standardization in terms of system modules an interconnections is feasible. To define the objectives a pragmatic approach has been followed. From the literature a selection of topics has been chosen and collected that are perceived as belonging to the field of MST by a large community of workers in the field (more than 250 references). In this way an overview has been created with `applications¿ and `generic issues¿ as the main characteristics
Energy challenges for ICT
The energy consumption from the expanding use of information and communications technology (ICT) is unsustainable with present drivers, and it will impact heavily on the future climate change. However, ICT devices have the potential to contribute signi - cantly to the reduction of CO2 emission and enhance resource e ciency in other sectors, e.g., transportation (through intelligent transportation and advanced driver assistance systems and self-driving vehicles), heating (through smart building control), and manu- facturing (through digital automation based on smart autonomous sensors). To address the energy sustainability of ICT and capture the full potential of ICT in resource e - ciency, a multidisciplinary ICT-energy community needs to be brought together cover- ing devices, microarchitectures, ultra large-scale integration (ULSI), high-performance computing (HPC), energy harvesting, energy storage, system design, embedded sys- tems, e cient electronics, static analysis, and computation. In this chapter, we introduce challenges and opportunities in this emerging eld and a common framework to strive towards energy-sustainable ICT
Continuous maintenance and the future – Foundations and technological challenges
High value and long life products require continuous maintenance throughout their life cycle to achieve required performance with optimum through-life cost. This paper presents foundations and technologies required to offer the maintenance service. Component and system level degradation science, assessment and modelling along with life cycle ‘big data’ analytics are the two most important knowledge and skill base required for the continuous maintenance. Advanced computing and visualisation technologies will improve efficiency of the maintenance and reduce through-life cost of the product. Future of continuous maintenance within the Industry 4.0 context also identifies the role of IoT, standards and cyber security
Recent Developments in Mems-Based Micro Fuel Cells
Micro fuel cells (-FC) represent promising power sources for portable
applications. Today, one of the technological ways to make -FC is to have
recourse to standard microfabrication techniques used in the fabrication of
micro electromechanical systems (MEMS). This paper shows an overview on the
applications of MEMS techniques on miniature FC by presenting several solutions
developed throughout the world. It also describes the latest developments of a
new porous silicon-based miniature fuel cell. Using a silane grafted on an
inorganic porous media as the proton-exchange membrane instead of a common
ionomer such as Nafion, the fuel cell achieved a maximum power density of 58 mW
cm-2 at room temperature with hydrogen as fuel.Comment: Submitted on behalf of TIMA Editions
(http://irevues.inist.fr/tima-editions
A new power MEMS component with variable capacitance
Autonomous devices such as wireless sensors and sensor networks need a long battery lifetime in a small volume. Incorporating micro-power generators based on ambient energy increases the lifetime of these systems while reducing the volume. This paper describes a new approach to the conversion of mechanical energy, available in vibrations, to electrical energy. The conversion principle is based on charge transportation between two parallel capacitors. An electret is used to polarize the device. A large-signal model was developed, allowing simulations of the behavior of the generator. A small-signal model was then derived in order to quantify the output power as a function of the design parameters. These models show the possibility of generating up to 40 muW with a device of 10 mm 2. A layout was made based on a standard SOI-technology, available in an MPW. With this design a power of 1 muW at 1020 Hz is expected
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