Timing oscillator having a non-linear MEMS resonator and related methods

摘要

Oscillators including mechanical resonators are described, as are methods of operating the oscillators such that the mechanical resonator exhibits non-linear behavior. The non-linear behavior may include multiple stable states, for instance being bi-stable. The non-linear behavior may exhibit hysteresis. The mechanical resonator may be driven to operate in a desired portion of the non-linear operating regime.

主权项

1. A method of operating a timing oscillator, the method comprising:
driving a temperature-compensated mechanical resonator of the timing oscillator such that the temperature-compensated mechanical resonator operates in a non-linear regime and, simultaneously, maintaining a substantially constant resonance frequency of the temperature-compensated mechanical resonator while varying a temperature of the temperature-compensated mechanical resonator.