Fabrication and mechanical characterization of ring-shaped LTCC/HTCC finger force sensors used for performance studies in clarinet playing

The analysis of the fingering behavior of clarinetists during performing on their instrument requires a special miniaturized force sensor system. This paper focuses on the fabrication and mechanical characterization of ring-shaped ceramic finger force sensors, embedded around the tone-holes of a B flat soprano clarinet. The unique way of combining an LTCC (low temperature co-fired ceramics) package with a high temperature ceramics sensing element substrate are shown in detail. A mechanical characterization of the sensor is presented, followed by sample performances carried out on the clarinet.