Ultra small reed switch created via MEMS technology
ProductMay 21, 2013
Alice Moss
Military Embedded Systems
Experts at Coto Technology Inc., in North Kingstown, RI, have leveraged high aspect ratio MEMS technology to create a small magnetic reed switch for high-performance applications that require extremely small switch size.
Experts at Coto Technology Inc., in North Kingstown, RI, have leveraged high aspect ratio MEMS technology to create a small magnetic reed switch for high-performance applications that require extremely small switch size. The RedRock RS1-A-2515 reed switch provides all of the capabilities of conventional magnetic reed switch technology, such as zero power operation and high-power hot switching and brings them into a robust MEMS-based design and manufacture that uses wafer-level packaging.
The switch’s footprint is less than 2.1 mm2 (1.01 x 2.08 mm) and .94 mm high. The device has closure sensitivity ranges from 5 to 25 millitesla, enabling operation as high as 20 mm using a small NdFeB magnet – allowing it to address a wide range of applications. The switch has a release sensitivity of approximately 60 percent of the closure sensitivity. This high level of hysteresis minimizes the potential of sticking when the magnetic field is removed, greatly adding to the switch’s reliability. The RS1-A-2515 has a maximum switching voltage of 100 VDC with a switching current of 50 mA DC or 35 mA AC, RMS. The zero operating power is important in power-sensitive applications, especially those operating with battery power.
