1. A cantilever sensor comprising:
a piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end;
a base portion coupled to the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer;
a non-piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer such that the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer are not coextensive; and
electrodes operatively associated with the piezoelectric layer.
2. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the distal end of the piezoelectric layer; and
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer.
3. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is flush with the distal end of the piezoelectric layer; and
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer.
4. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the distal end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer; and
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer.
5. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the non-piezoelectric layer comprises at least one of glass, a ceramic, a metal, a polymer, and a polymer and a ceramic composite.
6. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the non-piezoelectric layer comprises at least one of silicon dioxide, copper, stainless steel, and titanium.
7. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises at least one of lead zirconate titanate, lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate solid solutions, strontium lead titanate, quartz silica, piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate and titanate (PZT), and a piezoceramic-polymer fiber composite.
8. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a length of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
9. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a length of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
10. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a width of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
11. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein a width of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
12. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one physical dimension of at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is non-uniform.
13. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrodes are utilized to measure a resonance frequency of the sensor.
14. A sensor in accordance with claim 13, wherein the measured resonance frequency is indicative of an amount of analyte accumulated on the sensor.
15. A sensor in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
oscillation associated stress is concentrated in the piezoelectric layer near the base portion; and
the electrodes are positioned proximate to a location of the concentrated stress.
16. A cantilever sensor comprising:
a piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end;
a non-piezoelectric layer comprising a proximate end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer such that the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer are not coextensive;
a first base portion coupled to one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer;
a second base portion coupled to one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer; and
electrodes operatively associated with the piezoelectric layer.
17. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion;
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion; and
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the distal end of the piezoelectric layer.
18. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the distal end of the piezoelectric layer; and
the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer.
19. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the piezoelectric layer comprises a first piezoelectric portion and a second piezoelectric portion;
the first piezoelectric portion comprises a proximate end and a distal end;
the second piezoelectric portion comprises a proximate end and a distal end;
the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion;
the proximate end of the first piezoelectric portion is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the second piezoelectric portion is coupled to the second base portion; and
the distal end of the first piezoelectric portion and the proximate end of the second piezoelectric portion form a space therebetween.
20. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the piezoelectric layer comprises a first piezoelectric portion and a second piezoelectric portion;
the first piezoelectric portion comprises a proximate end and a distal end;
the second piezoelectric portion comprises a proximate end and a distal end;
the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion;
the proximate end of the first piezoelectric portion is coupled to the first base portion; and
the distal end of the first piezoelectric portion and the proximate end of the second piezoelectric portion form a space therebetween.
21. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the piezoelectric layer comprises a first piezoelectric portion and a second piezoelectric portion;
the first piezoelectric portion comprises a proximate end and a distal end;
the second piezoelectric portion comprises a proximate end and a distal end;
the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion; and
the distal end of the first piezoelectric portion and the proximate end of the second piezoelectric portion form a space therebetween.
22. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion;
the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer extends beyond the distal end of the piezoelectric layer; and
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer.
23. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to the first base portion;
the distal end of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to the second base portion;
the distal end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the distal end of the non-piezoelectric layer; and
the proximate end of the piezoelectric layer extends beyond the proximate end of the non-piezoelectric layer.
24. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein the non-piezoelectric layer comprises at least one of glass, a ceramic, a metal, a polymer, and a polymer and a ceramic composite.
25. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein the non-piezoelectric layer comprises at least one of silicon dioxide, copper, stainless steel, and titanium.
26. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein the piezoelectric layer comprises at least one of lead zirconate titanate, lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate solid solutions, strontium lead titanate, quartz silica, piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate and titanate (PZT), and a piezoceramic-polymer fiber composite.
27. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein a length of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
28. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein a length of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10.0 mm.
29. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein a width of the non-piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
30. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein a width of the piezoelectric layer is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 4.0 mm.
31. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one physical dimension of at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer is non-uniform.
32. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein the electrodes are utilized to measure a resonance frequency of the sensor.
33. A sensor in accordance with claim 32, wherein the measured resonance frequency is indicative of an amount of analyte accumulated on the sensor.
34. A sensor in accordance with claim 16, wherein:
oscillation associated stress is concentrated at a location in the piezoelectric layer; and
the electrodes are positioned proximate to the location of the concentrated stress.
35. A method for detecting an analyte, the method comprising:
providing a cantilever sensor comprising:
a piezoelectric layer;
at least one base portion coupled to at least one of the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer;
a non-piezoelectric layer, wherein at least a portion of the piezoelectric layer is coupled to at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer such that the piezoelectric layer and the non-piezoelectric layer are not coextensive; and
electrodes operatively associated with the piezoelectric layer.
exposing at least a portion of the non-piezoelectric layer to a medium;
measuring, via the electrodes, a resonance frequency of the sensor;
comparing the measured resonance frequency with a baseline resonance frequency;
if the measured resonance frequency differs from the baseline resonance frequency, determining that an analyte is present in the medium.
36. A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein the baseline resonance frequency is a resonance frequency of the sensor having no analyte accumulated thereon.
37. A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein medium comprises one of a liquid, a gas, and a vacuum.
38. A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein the analyte comprises at least one of a bioterrorism agent, a food-borne pathogen, a water pathogen, a cell type in a body fluids, a biomarker in a body fluid, an indication of an explosive material, an airborne toxin, a waterborne toxin, and a biological entity.
39. A method in accordance with claim 35, further comprising determining an amount of analyte accumulated on the sensor in accordance with the difference between the measured resonance frequency and the baseline resonance frequency.
40. A method in accordance with claim 35, further comprising determining a change in an amount of mass of an analyte accumulated on the sensor in accordance with the difference between the measured resonance frequency and the baseline resonance frequency, wherein a 1 Hertz difference between the measured resonance frequency and the baseline resonance frequency is indicative of a change is mass of about 100 attograms.
41. A method in accordance with claim 35, further comprising detecting a presence of an analyte in the medium, wherein the analyte comprises at least one of a protein, a lipoprotein, DNA, and RNA in the medium at a concentration of 1 femtograms per mL.
42. A method in accordance with claim 35, further comprising detecting a presence of an analyte in the medium, wherein the analyte comprises a pathogen in the medium at a concentration of 1 pathogen per mL.
43. A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein a difference in the measured resonance frequency and the baseline resonance frequency is indicative of a stress in the piezoelectric layer.
44. A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein oscillation associated stress is concentrated at a location in the piezoelectric layer, the method further comprising positioning the electrodes proximate to the location of the concentrated stress.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A simulator is comprising:
a simulation CPU;
a memory write-accessible from one of said simulation CPU and a control CPU connected to said simulator and read-accessible from the other;
means for causing said simulation CPU to read out control information written in said memory by the control CPU; and
means for writing an execution result of execution of simulation based on the control information in said memory in a state readable by the control CPU.
2. A simulator according to claim 1, wherein
said simulator further comprises connection means for connecting said simulation CPU to said memory, and
the control information is read out from said memory or the execution result is written in said memory through said connection means.
3. A simulator according to claim 1, wherein after the execution result of the simulation is written in said memory, an interrupt is requested of the control CPU.
4. A simulator according to claim 3, further comprising
count means for counting the interrupt, and
transmission means for transmitting timeout data on the basis of a count value of said count means.
5. A simulator comprising:
a first memory in which control information is written by a control CPU connected to said simulator;
a second memory from which information can be read out by the control CPU;
means for reading out the control information from said first memory;
means for generating information of a control result based on the readout control information; and
means for writing the generated information of the control result in said second memory.
6. A simulator according to claim 5, wherein after the information of the control result is written in said second memory, an interrupt is requested of the control CPU.
7. A simulator according to claim 6, further comprising
count means for counting the interrupt, and
transmission means for transmitting timeout data on the basis of a count value of said count means.
8. A simulator according to claim 5, wherein the control information corresponds to a command, and the control result corresponds to a response.
9. A simulator comprising:
a first memory from which information can be read out by a control CPU connected to said simulator; and
means for periodically writing a sensor status in said first memory.
10. A simulator according to claim 9, further comprising
a second memory in which a command is written by the control CPU,
means for reading out the command from said second memory,
means for generating a response based on the readout command, and
means for writing the generated response in said first memory.
11. A simulator according to claim 10, further comprising
a third memory in which output port ONOFF information is written by the control CPU, and
means for reading out the output port ONOFF information from said third memory.
12. A simulator according to claim 9, wherein after the sensor status is written in said first memory, an interrupt is requested of the control CPU.
13. A simulator according to claim 12, further comprising
count means for counting the interrupt, and
transmission means for transmitting timeout data on the basis of a count value of said count means.
14. A simulation method comprising the steps of:
causing a control CPU to write control information in a first memory;
causing a simulation CPU to read out the control information written in the first memory;
causing the simulation CPU to execute simulation based on the control information;
causing the simulation CPU to write a simulation result in a second memory; and
causing the control CPU to read out the simulation result written in the second memory.
15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of, after the simulation result is written in the second memory, requesting an interrupt of the control CPU.
16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of
counting the interrupt, and
transmitting timeout data on the basis of a count value of the interrupt.
17. A simulator for simulating operation on a unit side in an apparatus which transmits command information from a main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, comprising:
a command memory for holding the command information transmitted from the main body side, said command memory being read-accessible from a unit-side CPU;
a sensor memory in which the sensor information can be written by the unit-side CPU;
means for transmitting the sensor information written in said sensor memory to the main body side;
a response memory in which response information can be written by the unit-side CPU; and
means for transmitting the response information written in said response memory to the main body side.
18. A simulator according to claim 17, wherein
said simulator further comprises
an address memory for holding a self address in advance, and
comparison means for comparing the self address held in said address memory with a designated address designated on the main body side, and
when a comparison result by said comparison means indicates that the addresses match, the sensor information is received, the command information is received, and the response is sent.
19. A simulation system comprising:
a first simulator and a second simulator, each being connected to a main body, for simulating operation on a unit side,
said first simulator comprising means for receiving sensor information transmitted from said second simulator to said main body side, and
said first simulator operating in synchronism with said second simulator on the basis of the received sensor information.
20. A system according to claim 19, wherein
said system simulates operation on a unit side using at least two simulators of an apparatus which transmits command information from the main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, and
said first simulator comprises
a command memory for holding the command information transmitted from the main body side, said command memory being read-accessible from a unit-side CPU;
a sensor memory in which the sensor information can be written by the unit-side CPU;
means for transmitting the sensor information written in said sensor memory to the main body side;
a response memory in which response information can be written by the unit-side CPU; and
means for transmitting the response information written in said response memory to the main body side.
21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said first simulator comprises a port memory for holding port information transmitted from the main body side, said port memory being read-accessible from the unit-side CPU.
22. A simulator for simulating operation on a unit side in an apparatus which transmits command information from a main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, comprising:
a first command memory for holding command information transmitted from said main body side via a first series, said first command memory being read-accessible from a unit-side CPU;
a sensor memory in which the sensor information can be written by the unit-side CPU;
means for transmitting the sensor information written in said sensor memory to said main body side via said first series;
a response memory in which response information can be written by the unit-side CPU;
means for transmitting the response information written in said response memory to the main body side via said first series; and
a second command memory for holding command information transmitted from said main body side via a second series, said second command memory being read-accessible from the unit-side CPU.
23. A simulation system comprising:
a first simulator and a second simulator,
said first simulator comprising means for receiving sensor information transmitted from said second simulator to said main body side via a second series,
said first simulator operating in synchronism with said second simulator on the basis of the received sensor information,
said second simulator comprising means for receiving sensor information transmitted from said first simulator to said main body side via a first series, and
said second simulator operating in synchronism with said first simulator on the basis of the received sensor information.
24. A system according to claim 23, wherein
said system simulates operation on a unit side using at least two simulators of an apparatus which transmits command information from the main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, and
said first simulator comprises
a first command memory for holding command information transmitted from said main body side via said first series, said first command memory being read-accessible from a unit-side CPU;
a sensor memory in which the sensor information can be written by the unit-side CPU;
means for transmitting the sensor information written in said sensor memory to said main body side via said first series;
a response memory in which response information can be written by the unit-side CPU;
means for transmitting the response information written in said response memory to said main body side via said first series; and
a second command memory for holding command information transmitted from said second main body side via said second series, said second command memory being read-accessible from the unit-side CPU.
25. A system according to claim 24, wherein said first simulator comprises
a port memory for holding port information transmitted from said main body side via said first series, said port memory being read-accessible from the unit-side CPU, and
a port memory for holding port information transmitted from said main body side via said second series, said port memory being read-accessible from the unit-side CPU.
26. A simulation method of simulating operation on a unit side in an apparatus which transmits command information from a main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, comprising the steps of:
holding the command information transmitted from the main body side in a state read-accessible from a unit-side CPU; and
transmitting sensor information and response information written by the unit-side CPU to the main body side.
27. A simulation method applied to a simulation system including first and second simulators, comprising the steps of:
causing the first simulator to receive sensor information transmitted from the second simulator to a main body side; and
causing the first simulator to operate in synchronism with the second simulator on the basis of the received sensor information.
28. A method according to claim 27, wherein
said method simulates operation on a unit side using at least two simulators of an apparatus which transmits command information from the main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, and
said method further comprises the steps of
causing the first simulator to hold the command information transmitted from the main body side in a state read-accessible from a unit-side CPU, and
causing the first simulator to transmit the sensor information and response information written by the unit-side CPU to the main body side.
29. A simulation method of simulating operation on a unit side in an apparatus which transmits command information from a main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, comprising the steps of:
holding command information transmitted from said main body side via a first series and command information transmitted from said main body side via a second series in a state read-accessible from a unit-side CPU; and
transmitting sensor information and response information written by the unit-side CPU to said main body side via said first series.
30. A simulation method applied to a simulation system including first and second simulators and a main body, comprising the steps of:
causing the first simulator to receive sensor information transmitted from the second simulator to said main body side via a second series;
causing the first simulator to operate in synchronism with the second simulator on the basis of the received sensor information;
causing the second simulator to receive sensor information transmitted from the first simulator to said main body side via a first series; and
causing the second simulator to operate in synchronism with the first simulator on the basis of the received sensor information.
31. A method according to claim 30, wherein
said method simulates operation on a unit side using at least two simulators of an apparatus which transmits command information from the main body side to the unit side, transmits an execution result of the command from the unit side to the main body side as a response, and transmits sensor information on the unit side to the main body side, and
said method further comprises the steps of
causing the first simulator to hold command information transmitted from said main body side via a first series and command information transmitted from said main body side via a second series in a state read-accessible from a unit-side CPU, and
causing the first simulator to transmit the sensor information and response information written by the unit-side CPU to said main body side via a fist series.