Smart faims sensor

Abstract

A smart FAIMS sensor system and method includes a 2/2 -electrode filter that pumps the ions through the system and separates the ionic species, a detector for collecting the separated ions and generating a detector signal in response to the collected ions, and a controller configured to change the operating parameters of the system in response to changes in the sensor's environment detected by the sensor. The ability to dynamically change the operating parameters of the sensor enables the sensor to maintain high sensitivity to environmental threats while decreasing the incidences of false positive events.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A FAIMS sensor having a filter for separating ionic species, the filter comprising:
 at least first and second electrodes; and   first and second contact pads respectively provided on the first and second electrodes wherein each of the first and second contact pads are driven by a drive signal controlled by a controller and defining an operating point of the sensor.   
     
     
         21 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 20  wherein the filter further includes a detector configured and operative to collect separated ionic species and generate a detection signal in response to the collected ionic species, the detector further operative and configured to set the operating point of the sensor to first and second operating points based on the detection signal. 
     
     
         22 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the FAIMS sensor is operative to register an alarm when the detection signal generated at the second operating point exceeds a predetermined threshold associated with the second operating point. 
     
     
         23 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the second operating point is set when the detection signal generated at the first operating point exceeds a predetermined threshold associated with the first operating point. 
     
     
         24 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the operating point of the sensor is set by changing a drive voltage. 
     
     
         25 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the operating point of the sensor is set by changing a pulse height of an asymmetric oscillating signal applied to the plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         26 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the first operating point corresponds to a high sensitivity operating mode. 
     
     
         27 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the second operating point corresponds to a high selectivity operating mode. 
     
     
         28 . A FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 21  wherein the first operating point is set according to a threat condition in a deployed environment. 
     
     
         29 . A filter for a FAIMS sensor comprising:
 at least first and second electrodes; and   first and second contact pads respectively provided on the first and second electrodes wherein each of the first and second contact pads are driven by a drive signal controlled by a controller and defining an operating point of the sensor wherein the sensor is characterized by one or more operating parameters, the set of the one of more operating parameters defining an operating mode including a first operating mode characterized by a high sensitivity to a target species and being configured to dynamically switch to a second operating mode when the target species is detected at the first operating mode.   
     
     
         30 . A filter for a FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 29  wherein the second operating mode is characterized by a lower sensitivity to the target species relative to the first operating mode and further characterized by a higher selectivity to the target species relative to the first operating mode. 
     
     
         31 . A filter for a FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 29  wherein the one or more operating parameters includes a drive voltage, the drive voltage controlling an ion flow rate through a filter in the sensor. 
     
     
         32 . A filter for a FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 31  wherein dynamically switching to the second operating mode is affected by reducing the drive voltage. 
     
     
         33 . A filter for a FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 29  wherein the one or more operating parameters includes a pulse height, the pulse height determining an amplitude of an asymmetric oscillating field generated in a filter in the sensor. 
     
     
         34 . A filter for a FAIMS sensor as recited in  claim 33  wherein dynamically switching to the second operating mode is affected by increasing the pulse height.