Smart strain sensors based on MOS transistors
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Keywords
- Ultra low power
- Ultra thin
- Ultra low footprint
- Dynamic monitoring
Technology Market
Strain gauges for smart metrology
- Structural health monitoring (SHM)
- Biomedical monitoring
- Chip package monitoring
- In-situ operando measurements
- Flextronics
- Fast data acquisition
The UCLouvain solution
The classical strain gauges sensors consist of piezoresistive metallic resistances mounted in
a Wheatstone bridge configuration on a 100 μm-thin polyimide film, with a dedicated
interface. These typically consume mW’s of power at several V’s supply voltage.
The UCLouvain smart strain sensor exploits an innovative way to measure strain with ultralow
power consumption, using piezoresistance in active devices, i.e. with
perpendicular PMOS transistors in current mirror configurations, designed for high
stress sensitivity.
We are currently working to make the sensor autonomous through a passive RFID solution.
Key-figures of the invention
- power consumption: 10-100 μW
- low supply voltage: 1V
- simple read-out interface for direct connection to a microcontroller
- minimal footprint: 2x2 mm2
- ultra-thin: 5 μm
- high gauge factor: 400
- high sensitivity: 300 ppm/μ
- high precision: 5 μ
- strain range: up to 1000 μ
- large frequency bandwidth response: 0 – 1 kHz
Technology Status
TRL 3, proof-of-concept demonstration and comparison with reference strain gauges
First results published in Al Kadi Jazairli, M. et al., “Ultra-low-power 130nm SOI CMOS
smart sensor for in-situ mechanical stress in SiP and SoC applications”, 2016.
Preferred partnership
Validation of the technology in real test situations (joint case studies)
Interested to validate and develop this technology?
Please contact:
Sébastien Adam
Technology Transfer Advisor
Denis Flandre
Professor in Electrical Engineering