Low power oscillator system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016134237-A1
Application number	US-201414538299-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 11, 2014
Priority date	Nov 11, 2014
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

In a first aspect, an oscillator is disclosed. The oscillator comprises a digital circuit; and at least one Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator. The oscillator includes a non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory (NVM) storing a frequency value related to a resonant frequency of the at least one MEMS resonator. The digital circuit utilizes the frequency value stored in the NVM to provide a measure of real time from the MEMS resonator. In a second aspect, a system is disclosed. The system includes a processor and at least one Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator operating at first frequency. The system also includes a memory. The memory storing a frequency value related to a resonant frequency of the at least one MEMS resonator. The frequency value is measured by an outside source. The processor utilizes the frequency value stored in the memory to provide a measure of real time from the MEMS resonator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An oscillator comprising:
a digital circuit; at least one Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator; and a non-volatile memory (NVM), the NVM storing a frequency value related to a resonant frequency of the at least one MEMS resonator; wherein the digital circuit utilizes the frequency value stored in the NVM to provide a measure of real time from the MEMS resonator.

2 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein one or more sensors are integrated with the oscillator

3 . The oscillator of claim 1 further includes a connection to a network.

4 . The oscillator of claim 1 further includes a second MEMS resonator coupled to the processor.

5 . The oscillator of claim 4 , wherein the at least one MEMS resonator provides a real time clock (RTC) and the second MEMS resonator provides a system clock.

6 . The oscillator of claim 1 further includes an interrupt to the digital circuit.

7 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein the digital circuit, the at least one MEMS resonator and the NVM are on a single chip.

8 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein the frequency value is measured across a temperature range.

9 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein the digital circuit comprises a processor.

10 . The oscillator of claim 9 , wherein the processor comprises a digital signal processor.

11 . The oscillator of claim 1 further includes a I 2 C/SPI channel coupled to an application processor and the digital circuit.

12 . The oscillator of claim 1 includes a radio coupled to the digital circuit; wherein the radio allows the digital circuit to obtain an accurate clock from an external source.

13 . The oscillator of claim 1 includes a counter coupled between the MEMS resonator and the digital circuit to maintain an accurate frequency.

14 . The oscillator of claim 1 includes a communication interface coupled to a network.

15 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein the frequency value comprises an initial frequency value.

16 . The oscillator of claim 1 , wherein the oscillator is part of a sensor platform.

17 . A system comprising:
a processor; at least one Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator operating at first frequency; and a memory, the memory storing a frequency value related to a resonant frequency of the at least one MEMS resonator; wherein the frequency value is measured by an external source; wherein the processor utilizes the frequency value stored in the memory to provide a measure of real time from the MEMS resonator.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the external source comprises any of a network and another system.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein one or more sensors are integrated with the system.

20 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the network is utilized to add additional frequency corrections.

21 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the system includes a connection to a network.

22 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one MEMS resonator comprises first and second MEMS resonators.

23 . The system of claim 22 , wherein the first MEMS resonator provides a real time clock (RTC) and the second MEMS resonator provides a system clock.

24 . The system of claim 17 includes a counter for providing an interrupt to the processor.

25 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the processor, the at least one MEMS resonator and the memory are on a single chip.

26 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the frequency value is measured across a temperature range.

27 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP).

28 . The system of claim 17 includes an I 2 C/SPI channel coupled to the processor and an application processor.

29 . The system of claim 17 includes a radio coupled to the digital circuit; wherein the radio allows the digital circuit to obtain an accurate clock from an external source.

30 . The system of claim 17 includes a counter coupled between the at least one MEMS resonator and the digital circuit. The system of claim 17 includes a communication interface to a network.

32 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one MEMS resonator provides a real time clock (RTC).

33 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the frequency value comprises an initial frequency value. The system of claim 17 , wherein the system is part of a sensor platform.

35 . The system of claim 31 , wherein the network is utilized to provide additional frequency corrections.

36 . The system of claim 17 , wherein a second processor or system is utilized to provide additional frequency corrections.

Assignees

• Invensense Inc

Inventors

• Lloyd Stephen
• Shaeffer Derek

Classifications

• H03B5/30 Primary

  with frequency-determining element being electromechanical resonator · CPC title