Menlo Microsystems announced that its MEMS switch has made progress in a wide range of Internet of Things (IOT) applications, in addition to GE medical systems, future can also be used as power actuators and relays for a variety of industrial networks and radiofrequet of mobile systems ( RF) switch.
The new company Menlo Microsystems announced that its MEMS switch has made progress in a wide range of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Menlo is a universal electrical (GE) derivative, its MEMS switch chip has been used in GE medical systems, and it can also be used as power actuators and relays for Industrial IoT applications, as well as mobile systems. RF (RF) switch. Menlo published this electrostatic switch as early as 2014, which sputtered with a contact beam on a glass substrate, and the contact gate was formed in a current action. Compared to a solid state switch and product developed by a unique dedicated process for many vertical markets, this electrostatic MEMS switch can significantly reduce power consumption. The Menlo MEMS switch is sputtered with a metal alloy to form a contact beam on the glass substrate, and the contact gate is formed by the current contact gate, which can significantly reduce power consumption.
The MEMS switch has the advantage of low power consumption, so that it can be derived from a switch task corresponding to a large current. In addition, it is not as heated as traditional power switches or relays, so there is no need to use large and expensive heat sinks.
Currently, this switch is manufactured in a small research plant in GE. Menlo is expected to mass production in the mid-Swedish Silex Microsystems in the middle of 2018.
Menlo CEO Russ Garcia said, "Our current biggest challenge is to implement this technology in commercial wafer, and make it verified."
The maximum chance of this component is to replace the electromagnetic, electromechanical and solid state components currently used in various relays and power switches. Menlo is expected that various references of the MEMS switch chip will be introduced for industrial automation, robots, and buildings automation, including automation, robots, and buildings.
Garcia said that one of the biggest problems such as Nest smart thermostats is how to effectively open or close power consumption systems such as HVAC (HVAC), which is the advantage of the Menlo switch, which can be almost Working without power consuming. He said: "In terms of the size and power consumption of the power switch, our MEMS switch can achieve higher levels of efficiency of 1 to 2 orders."
The size and power consumption of the switch is significantly transcended to existing switches and relays (Source: Menlo Micro)
This design is from GE's 12 years of research results in the MEMS switch. "They found that the reliability of MEMS lies in the material, thus developing unique alloys for MEMS switches, and the novel glass substrate, which can reliably process billions of kW (KW)-level power switch. "
The GE's medical department will use this chip to replace the PIM diode arrays of the MRI system for the NMD. The company expects this MEMS switch to save up to $ 10,000 in each MRI system. Garcia said: "Currently, they need to adjust for each of the five doctors that use the PIN diode, and after using the Menlo MEMS switch, they can automate these systems."
Although GE is the first to import the chip in its MRI system, Menlo has also negotiated with other MRI manufacturers about the future application of this chip. He emphasized that "GE hopes that the business can help build Menlo a new strategy component supplier."
Menlo also optimistic about the application prospect of this chip in the RF switch. The chip is currently designed in military radio, providing a 10-fold power output at a lower 10-fold power consumption, and is expected to ship this fall.
In addition, the new innovation company expects technology to give a supplier of RF switches for smartphones, such as Peregrine, Qorvo and Skyworks. In response to this technical authorization, Garcia explained, "I don't want to do a low-cost switch for 15 cents. Currently, we have also obtained NRE fees from the first phase of many manufacturers."
Menlo has funded $ 25.25 million from the investors such as Corning, GE Ventures and Mi Gao Senmei (MicroSemi), and expects to achieve profit in multiple market opportunities in 2019. Garcia emphasizes that "My goal is not to raise again, because our profit is very high, especially after the new factory is put into production, the price of these switches will have average sales price (ASP)."
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