Electronic Detection Strategies for a MEMS-Based Biosensor

This work reports on the development of control electronics for a resonant mode biosensor. The laboratory demonstrated sensor initially showed a signal-to-noise ratio of -100 dB. With the application of half-frequency drive, frequency down conversion, appropriate filtering, and digital signal processing, a cost-effective electronic solution demonstrated a signal-to-noise ratio of +30 dB. This paper highlights important aspects in the design of integrated solutions to microelectromechanical systems-based sensors.