Abstract:
An integrated sensor (10) comprising a thermopile transducer (12) and signal processing circuitry (4) that are combined on a single semiconductor substrate (20), such that the transducer output signal is sampled in close vicinity by the processing circuitry (14). The sensor (10) comprises a frame (18) formed of a semiconductor material that is not heavily doped, and with which a diaphragm (16) is supported. The diaphragm (16) has a first surface for receiving thermal (e.g., infrared) radiation, and comprises multiple layers that include a sensing layer containing at least a pair of interlaced thermopiles (22). Each thermopile (22) comprises a sequence of thermocouples (24), each thermocouple (24) comprising dissimilar electrically-resistive materials that define hot junctions (26) located on the diaphragm (16) and cold junctions (28) located on the frame (18). The signal processing circuitry (14) is located on the frame (18) and electrically interconnected with the thermopiles (22). The thermopiles (22) are interlaced so that the output of one of the thermopiles (22) increases with increasing temperature difference between the hot and cold junctions (26,28) thereof, while the output of the second thermopile (22) decreases with increasing temperature difference between its hot and cold junctions (26,28).
Abstract:
A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer (10), preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates (22,24) defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers (18,62). The capacitive plates (22,24) are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers (18,62), and the capacitive gap (30) therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer (10) that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.
Abstract:
A dual pressure sensor apparatus (10) configured for attachment to a manifold (22) includes a molded plastic housing (12) with a body portion (20) featuring an upper cavity (40), a measurement port (24), and a lower cavity (42) closed by the manifold (22). First and second pressure sensor modules (16, 14) are mounted in first and second wells (50, 48) formed in the upper cavity (40), and electrically coupled to a set of leadframe terminals (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d) disposed in the upper cavity (40). An opening (54) in the first well (50) couples the first pressure sensor module (16) to the measurement port (24), and an opening (52) in the second well (48) couples the second pressure sensor module (14) to the lower cavity (42). The measurement port (24) sealingly extends through an opening (26) in the manifold (22) so that the first pressure sensor module (16) measures pressure in the manifold (22), and the body portion walls (20a, 20b) bounding the lower cavity (42) are notched (64, 66) so that the second pressure sensor module (14) measures atmospheric or barometric pressure outside the manifold (22).
Abstract:
A dual pressure sensor apparatus (10) configured for attachment to a manifold (22) includes a molded plastic housing (12) with a body portion (20) featuring an upper cavity (40), a measurement port (24), and a lower cavity (42) closed by the manifold (22). First and second pressure sensor modules (16, 14) are mounted in first and second wells (50, 48) formed in the upper cavity (40), and electrically coupled to a set of leadframe terminals (46a, 46b, 46c, 46d) disposed in the upper cavity (40). An opening (54) in the first well (50) couples the first pressure sensor module (16) to the measurement port (24), and an opening (52) in the second well (48) couples the second pressure sensor module (14) to the lower cavity (42). The measurement port (24) sealingly extends through an opening (26) in the manifold (22) so that the first pressure sensor module (16) measures pressure in the manifold (22), and the body portion walls (20a, 20b) bounding the lower cavity (42) are notched (64, 66) so that the second pressure sensor module (14) measures atmospheric or barometric pressure outside the manifold (22).
Abstract:
A process of forming a capacitive audio transducer (10), preferably having an all-silicon monolithic construction that includes capacitive plates (22,24) defined by doped single-crystal silicon layers (18,62). The capacitive plates (22,24) are defined by etching the single-crystal silicon layers (18,62), and the capacitive gap (30) therebetween is accurately established by wafer bonding, yielding a transducer (10) that can be produced by high-volume manufacturing practices.
Abstract:
An engine control module (10) having an environmentally-sealed housing (12, 12a) includes a housing-mounted air pressure sensor (18) for providing a reliable measure of atmospheric air pressure to a control circuit (14a) mounted within the housing (12, 12a). The sensor (18) is mounted on an inboard face of the housing (12a), and includes a sensor element (18a), a body portion (18b) and a riser portion (18c). The sensor element (18a) is mounted in the body portion (18b), and the riser portion (18c) protrudes through an opening (20) in the housing (12a) to couple the sensor element (18a) to atmospheric pressure outside the housing (12, 12a). The body portion (18b) is sealingly secured to the inboard face of the housing (12a), and a set of conductor pins (26) molded into the body portion (18b) extend inward to engage a circuit board (14) enclosed by the housing (12, 12a), and thereby directly couple the sensor element (18a) to the ECM's control circuit (14a). The top of the riser portion (18c) is capped by a splash-proof lid (24) to prevent water intrusion.
Abstract:
A technique for manufacturing an integrated pressure sensor (150) includes a number of steps. Initially, a substrate (200) with conductive electrical traces located on first and second sides of the substrate (200) is provided. A plurality of compensation circuits (100) are positioned in an array on the first side of the substrate (200) in electrical contact with one or more of the conductive electrical traces on the first side of the substrate (200). A plurality of pressure sensors (10) are positioned on the second side of the substrate (200) in electrical contact with one or more of the conductive electrical traces on the second side of the substrate (200). Each one of the sensors (10) is associated with one of the compensation circuits (100) to form a plurality of pressure sensor-compensation circuit pairs. The substrate (200) includes conductive vias to electrically connect each of the sensor-compensation circuit pairs. Each of the compensation circuits (100) provides temperature compensation for an associated one of the sensors (10). The sensor-compensation circuit pairs are calibrated and singulated for final packaging.