Besic, H., Demir, A., Vukicevic, V., Steurer, J., & Schmid, S. (2024). Adaptable Frequency Counter With Phase Filtering for Resonance Frequency Monitoring in Nanomechanical Sensing. IEEE Sensors Journal, 24(6), 8094–8104. https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2024.3355026
E366-01 - Forschungsbereich Mikro- und Nanosensorik
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Zeitschrift:
IEEE Sensors Journal
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ISSN:
1530-437X
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Datum (veröffentlicht):
15-Mär-2024
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Umfang:
11
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Verlag:
IEEE-INST ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS INC
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Peer Reviewed:
Ja
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Keywords:
Field-programmable-gate array (FPGA); frequency counter (FC); nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS); phase-locked loop (PLL); resonance frequency; self-sustaining oscillator (SSO)
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Abstract:
Nanomechanical sensors based on detecting and tracking resonance frequency shifts are to be used in many applications. Various open- and closed-loop tracking schemes, all offering a trade-off between speed and precision, have been studied both theoretically and experimentally. In this work, we advocate the use of a frequency counter (FC) as a frequency shift monitor in conjunction with a self-sustaining oscillator (SSO) nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) configuration. We derive a theoretical model for characterizing the speed and precision of frequency measurements with state-of-the-art FCs. Based on the understanding provided by this model, we introduce novel enhancements to FCs that result in a trade-off characteristics which is on a par with the other tracking schemes. We describe a low-cost field-programmable-gate array (FPGA)-based implementation for the proposed FC and use it with the SSO-NEMS device in order to study its frequency tracking performance. We compare the proposed approach with the phase-locked-loop-based scheme both in theory and experimentally. Our results show that similar or better performance can be achieved at a substantially lower cost and improved ease of use. We obtain almost perfect correspondence between the theoretical model predictions and the experimental measurements.