Patent ID: 6823279
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: G01P

Abstract:
A method for simultaneously determining respective scale factors or alignment angles of sensitive axes in a multi-axis accelerometer device for measuring acceleration, comprising the steps of:a) mounting a multi-axis accelerometer device on a turntable in a first orientation, the turntable having a tilt angle with respect to a vertical axis defined by a local gravity vector; b) spinning a multi-axis accelerometer device around an axis of rotation at an angular velocity using the turn table such that the multi-axis accelerometer device experiences a time varying component of the local gravity vector; c) receiving respective outputs of the multiple axis as the multi-axis accelerometer device experiences the time varying component of the local gravity vector; d) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) with the multi-axis accelerometer device mounted in a second orientation; and, e) repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) with the multi-axis accelerometer device mounted in a third orientation; and, f) determining respective scale factors or alignment angles of the multiple axes of the multi-axis accelerometer device, wherein respective Fourier transforms of the respective received outputs of the accelerometer device a combined with Fourier transforms of the predicted outputs of an ideal accelerometer, the predicted outputs based on the tilt angle of the turntable, the angular velocity of the ideal accelerometer, and the local gravity vector.