Patent ID: 7543473
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
1. A method of obtaining a performance parameter associated with an accelerometer, the method comprising: applying an acceleration to the accelerometer at a gee level and a first frequency to obtain a sensitivity of the accelerometer at the first frequency; performing a first self-test on the accelerometer; the first self-test including stimulating the accelerometer with a first self-test stimulation signal such that the accelerometer outputs a first signal, the first frequency encoded into the first self-test stimulation signal; determining a self-test equivalent acceleration based, at least in part, on the first signal and the accelerometer sensitivity at the first frequency; performing a second self-test on the accelerometer, the second self-test including stimulating the accelerometer with a second self-test stimulation signal such that the accelerometer outputs a second signal, a second frequency encoded into the second self-test stimulation signal; and determining a parameter of the accelerometer at the second frequency based, at least in part, on the second signal and the self-test equivalent acceleration.