A 1.5-V-supplied CMOS ASIC for the actuation of an electrostatic micromotor

The use of electrostatic forces in micromechanical systems is well known, but quite high voltages are needed to produce usable forces. In this perspective paper, a 1.5-V battery-supplied integrated circuit able to drive an electrostatic micromotor is presented. The application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) can output signals up to 80 V, with low-voltage controlling signals. It is especially designed for portable (wristwatch-like) applications. High voltage can be produced by either switching or charge-pumping power supplies.