A modular sensor microsystem utilizing a universal interface circuit

The performance features of MEMS transducers allow the development of a new class of small, low-power sensor microsystems which utilize a suite of sensors to support a wide range of applications. This paper presents a system-level framework for constructing such microsystems where system modularity for application adaptability is a primary design consideration. System architecture, communication protocols, modular packaging, and interface electronics are discussed in general terms, and an implementation of these concepts is presented. Key requirements for microsystem modularity, such as a communication bus and a universal microsensor interface circuit which support plug-n-play operation for online reconfiguration, are developed and presented in this paper.