Multi-function and cascadable MEMS logic device

Abstract

We present a reprogrammable Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) logic device that can perform the fundamental logic gate AND, a universal logic gate NAND, and a tristate logic gate using mixed-frequency excitation. The concept is based on exciting combination resonances due to the mixing of two or more input signals. The device vibrates at two steady states; a high state when the combination resonance is activated and a low state when no resonance is activated. These vibration states are assigned to logical value 1 or 0 to realize these logic gates. Using AC signals to drive the resonator and to execute the logic inputs unifies the input and output wave forms of the logic device, thereby opening the possibility for cascading among logic devices. Moreover, the ability to perform these logic operations at any input frequency using frequency mixing techniques allows for overcoming the limitation of having a fixed operating frequency. These characteristics of such logic devices lay down the basis to achieve complex computing operations.