Floating-Gate Sensor Layout for Stable Charge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor technologies face challenges in achieving a balance between detection accuracy, adaptability to different measurement tasks, and applicability to varying measurement conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a control gate, sensing layer, and insulating layer featuring a floating gate, where the control gate and sensing layer are arranged at the same lateral position, and a floating gate is connected to transistors, allowing the control gate to maintain a constant potential at the floating gate, enhancing measurement accuracy and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional sensor structure without a control gate is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the floating gate potential cannot be maintained constant
Solution Approach 1:
The gate function is segmented into two independent parts: a control gate for adjusting the potential and a floating gate for sensing. This segmentation allows the control gate to compensate for potential drift while the floating gate maintains signal integrity, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring complete redesign of the sensor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control gate acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the external control signals and the floating gate. By introducing this intermediate control mechanism, the system can maintain constant floating gate potential through active compensation, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a simple sensor structure is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different measurement conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor structure incorporates a dynamically controllable control gate that can be adjusted to adapt to different measurement conditions. This dynamic control capability allows the sensor to maintain optimal performance across varying applications while using a relatively simple base structure that remains easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-gate structure provides universal functionality by enabling the same sensor device to operate under different measurement conditions through control gate adjustment. The control gate can be configured for various bias conditions, making the sensor adaptable to multiple applications without requiring different device structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves measurement accuracy and adaptability by maintaining a constant floating gate potential, enabling detection of charges and capacitance changes in fluids, gases, or liquids with enhanced precision and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
determining a change of voltage at the floating gate
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor device for determining a property of a fluid, gas or liquid, having: a control gate; a sensing layer; at least one insulating layer between the sensing layer and the control gate, wherein the at least one insulating layer has a floating gate.