Patent ID: 7980135
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A microelectromechanical gyroscope, comprising: a microstructure, including a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first mass is oscillatable along a first axis and the second mass is coupled to the first mass so as to be drawn along the first axis by the first mass and to oscillate along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to a rotation of the microstructure; a driving device coupled to the microstructure to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency; a reading device structured to detect displacements of the second mass along the second axis; and a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass via self-test terminals and structured to apply an electrostatic force at the driving frequency so as to move the second mass along the second axis, the self-test actuation system structured to alternatingly connect the self-test terminals to a supply line and to a ground line to alternatingly receive a supply voltage and a ground voltage .