Patent ID: 7383729
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A micro-electromechanical device comprising: a substrate; a proof mass resiliently mounted to the substrate, the proof mass having first and second proof mass combs formed on opposite sides thereof, the first and second proof mass combs each comprising at least one tooth; a first fixed comb secured to the substrate and having at least one tooth, the first fixed comb interleaved with the first proof mass comb; second and third fixed combs electrically isolated from one another and each having at least one tooth, the second and third fixed combs interleaved with the second proof mass comb, the third fixed comb coupled to a substantially direct current (DC) bias circuit and capacitively coupled to an output; and a sense plate secured to the substrate beneath the proof mass, the sense plate electrically coupled to a substantially constant voltage source and capacitively coupled to the output; wherein one of the first and second fixed combs is coupled to an oscillating drive circuit and the other of the first and second fixed combs is coupled to a pick-off circuit electrically coupled to the oscillating drive circuit.