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Design study for a capacitive ceramic pressure sensor

Design study for a capacitive ceramic pressure sensor Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider a capacitive pressure sensor fabricated using low‐temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) materials and technology as a candidate for an energy‐autonomous sensor application. Designing the 3D capacitive sensor structure, with the cofired thick‐film electrodes inside the narrow air gap in the LTCC substrate, was a challenging task, particularly due to the presence of the parasitic elements influencing the sensor's characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – In this work, different design variants for the thick‐film electrodes of the capacitive sensing structure were studied and compared. The test sensors were designed for the pressure range 0‐10 kPa and manufactured with readout electronics based on a capacitance‐to‐digital conversion. Findings – The typical sensitivity obtained was 4 fF/kPa, and the temperature coefficient of the sensitivity was 0.03%/°C. The design variant with the guard‐ring electrode showed the best rms resolution of 50 Pa. One drawback of the application could be the sensitivity to atmospheric humidity and the influence of the different media. Originality/value – This paper focuses on the design of a capacitive gas‐pressure sensor in a 3D LTCC structure. The present study provides a good basis for further optimisation of the design of the cofired electrodes in the capacitive sensing structure. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Microelectronics International Emerald Publishing

Design study for a capacitive ceramic pressure sensor

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1356-5362
DOI
10.1108/13565361111162602
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider a capacitive pressure sensor fabricated using low‐temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) materials and technology as a candidate for an energy‐autonomous sensor application. Designing the 3D capacitive sensor structure, with the cofired thick‐film electrodes inside the narrow air gap in the LTCC substrate, was a challenging task, particularly due to the presence of the parasitic elements influencing the sensor's characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – In this work, different design variants for the thick‐film electrodes of the capacitive sensing structure were studied and compared. The test sensors were designed for the pressure range 0‐10 kPa and manufactured with readout electronics based on a capacitance‐to‐digital conversion. Findings – The typical sensitivity obtained was 4 fF/kPa, and the temperature coefficient of the sensitivity was 0.03%/°C. The design variant with the guard‐ring electrode showed the best rms resolution of 50 Pa. One drawback of the application could be the sensitivity to atmospheric humidity and the influence of the different media. Originality/value – This paper focuses on the design of a capacitive gas‐pressure sensor in a 3D LTCC structure. The present study provides a good basis for further optimisation of the design of the cofired electrodes in the capacitive sensing structure.

Journal

Microelectronics International – Emerald Publishing

Published: Aug 2, 2011

Keywords: Capacitive pressure sensor; 3D LTCC structure; Capacitive‐to‐digital conversion; Sensors; Electrodes

References

  • Temperature behaviour of capacitive pressure sensor fabricated with LTCC technology
    Belavič, D.; Zarnik, M.S.; Hrovat, M.; Maček, S.; Kosec, M.
  • Capacitive pressure sensors realized with LTCC technology
    Belavič, D.; Zarnik, M.S.; Maček, S.; Jerlah, M.; Hrovat, M.; Pavlin, M.
  • The design and improvement of LTCC‐based capacitive pressure sensors employing finite element analysis
    Ionescu, C.; Svasta, P.; Marghescu, C.; Zarnik, M.S.; Belavič, D.
  • FE modeling of capacitive pressure sensor realized in LTCC technology
    Marghescu, C.; Ionescu, C.; Svasta, P.; Zarnik, M.S.; Belavič, D.
  • Capacitive sensors: when and how to use them
    Puers, R.
  • Investigation of a thick‐film capacitive pressure sensor in a three‐dimensional LTCC structure
    Zarnik, M.S.; Belavič, D.; Maček, S.
  • An LTCC‐based capacitive pressure sensor with a digital output
    Zarnik, M.S.; Belavič, D.; Maček, S.