Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7481111?dq=7800613
Timestamp: 2016-09-26 00:46:17
Document Index: 507773996

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 2', 'art 2', 'arts 2', 'art 108', 'art 108', 'art 108', 'arts 107', 'art 108', 'art 108']

Patent US7481111 - Micro-electro-mechanical sensor with force feedback loop - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA micro-electro-mechanical sensor includes a microstructure having a mass which is movable with respect to a rest position, according to a predetermined degree of freedom, and a displacement-detecting device for detecting a displacement of the mass according to the predetermined degree of freedom. The...http://www.google.com/patents/US7481111?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7481111 - Micro-electro-mechanical sensor with force feedback loopAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS7481111 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/843,579Publication dateJan 27, 2009Filing dateAug 22, 2007Priority dateAug 3, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asEP1624286A1, US7275433, US20060032309, US20070289382Publication number11843579, 843579, US 7481111 B2, US 7481111B2, US-B2-7481111, US7481111 B2, US7481111B2InventorsCarlo Caminada, Ernesto Lasalandra, Luciano PrandiOriginal AssigneeStmicroelectronics S.R.L.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (19), Referenced by (26), Classifications (8), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMicro-electro-mechanical sensor with force feedback loop
US 7481111 B2Abstract
A micro-electro-mechanical sensor includes a microstructure having a mass which is movable with respect to a rest position, according to a predetermined degree of freedom, and a displacement-detecting device for detecting a displacement of the mass according to the predetermined degree of freedom. The displacement-detecting device includes a force feedback loop of a purely analog type, which supplies electrostatic forces tending to restore the mass to the rest position in response to a displacement of the mass according to the predetermined degree of freedom.
1. A method for determining characteristics of a rotating system, comprising the steps of:
maintaining a first mass in oscillation at a resonance frequency along a first axis;
coupling a second mass to the first mass via a mechanical means;
determining feedback voltages via an analog force feedback loop, the analog force feedback loop acting on the second mass, comprising the steps of:
receiving reading currents indicative of a velocity of the second mass along a second axis,
converting the reading currents to reading voltages, the reading voltages indicative of a displacement of the second mass relative to a rest position along the second axis, and
filtering the reading voltages to generate the feedback voltages; and
applying the feedback voltages to the second mass, the feedback voltages tending to restore the second mass to the rest position.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of converting comprises an analog converting means.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of filtering comprises an analog filtering means.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of filtering comprises the steps of:
filtering the reading voltages via a first filter to generate a raw signal, the first filter configured for imposing stability conditions on a magnitude of a gain of the analog force feedback loop; and
filtering the raw signal via a second filter to generate the feedback voltages, the second filter configured for imposing stability conditions on a phase of the gain of the analog force feedback loop.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of demodulating the raw signal to generate an output signal indicative of the instantaneous angular velocity of the rotating system.
6. An integrated micro-electro-mechanical gyroscope, comprising:
means for maintaining a first mass in oscillation at a resonance frequency along a first axis;
means for mechanically coupling a second mass to the first mass;
means for determining feedback voltages via an analog force feedback loop, the analog force feedback loop acting on the second mass, including
means for receiving reading currents indicative of a velocity of the second mass along a second axis,
means for converting the reading currents to reading voltages, the reading voltages indicative of a displacement of the second mass relative to a rest position along the second axis, and
means for filtering the reading voltages to generate the feedback voltages; and
means for applying the feedback voltages to the second mass, the feedback voltages tending to restore the second mass to the rest position.
7. The integrated micro-electro-mechanical gyroscope of claim 6, wherein the means for filtering comprises:
first filtering means for filtering the reading voltages to generate a raw signal and impose stability conditions on a magnitude of a gain of the analog force feedback loop; and
second filtering means for filtering the raw signal to generate the feedback voltages and impose stability conditions on a phase of the gain of the analog force feedback loop. Description
MEMS systems of this type are usually based upon micro-electro-mechanical structures comprising at least one mass, which is connected to a fixed body (stator) by means of springs and is movable with respect to the stator according to predetermined degrees of freedom. The movable mass and the stator are capacitively coupled by means of a plurality of respective comb-fingered electrodes set facing one another, so as to form capacitors. The movement of the movable mass with respect to the stator, for example on account of an external stress, modifies the capacitance of the capacitors. From this it is possible to trace back to the relative displacement of the movable mass with respect to the fixed body and hence to the applied force. Instead, by supplying appropriate biasing voltages, it is possible to apply an electrostatic force to the movable mass to set it in motion. Furthermore, in order to obtain electromechanical oscillators, the frequency response of the inertial MEMS structures is exploited, which typically is of a second-order low-pass type. By way of example, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the trend of the module and of the phase of the transfer function between the force applied to the movable mass and its displacement with respect to the stator, in an inertial MEMS structure.
Reading of many types of MEMS systems, such as, for example, inertial sensors, sensors of other types, or gyroscopes, is performed using a force feedback loop. In practice, the capacitive unbalancing due to a displacement of the movable mass is read and, by means of the force feedback loop, electrostatic forces tending to eliminate the displacement, on the basis of the capacitive unbalancing detected, are applied. The amplitude of the electrostatic forces required is indicative of the external stress acting on the movable mass and can be estimated on the basis of the signals present in the force feedback loop.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a micro-electro-mechanical sensor includes a microstructure having a mass movable with respect to a rest position according to a predetermined degree of freedom, and a displacement-detecting means for detecting a displacement of the mass. The displacement-detecting means includes a force feedback loop supplying electrostatic forces tending to restore the mass to its rest position in response to the displacement of the mass. In one embodiment, the force feedback loop is an analog feedback loop.
In another embodiment, the force feedback loop includes a charge differential amplifier, a first filter and a second filter. The first filter has a first transfer function configured for imposing stability conditions on a magnitude of a gain of the force feedback loop, and the second filter has a second transfer function configured for imposing stability conditions on a phase of the gain of the force feedback loop.
In yet another embodiment, the displacement-detecting means further includes a demodulation stage coupled to the force feedback loop for receiving a raw signal and for demodulating the raw signal to generate an output signal indicative of the instantaneous angular velocity of the rotating system. The raw signal includes at least one component in phase with the displacement of the mass.
In another embodiment, a method for determining characteristics of a rotating system includes the steps of maintaining a first mass in oscillation at a resonance frequency along a first axis, coupling a second mass to the first mass via a mechanical means, determining feedback voltages via an analog force feedback loop, and applying the feedback voltages to the second mass. The feedback voltages tend to restore the second mass to its rest position.
Furthermore, the analog force feedback loop interacts with the second mass, comprising steps of receiving reading currents that are indicative of a velocity of the second mass along a second axis, converting the reading currents to reading voltages, and filtering the reading voltages to generate the feedback voltages. The reading voltages are indicative of a displacement of the second mass relative to a rest position along the second axis.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are graphs corresponding to the frequency response of a micro-electro-mechanical structure;
FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a resonant micro-electro-mechanical system, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a microstructure illustrated in FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4A is a simplified view of a part of the microstructure of FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of a part of the micro-electro-mechanical system of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a graph corresponding to the frequency response of an element of the block diagram of FIG. 5, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 7-9 are graphs which illustrate plots of quantities relating to the micro-electro-mechanical system of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 10 is a more detailed block diagram of a part of the micro-electro-mechanical system of FIG. 3, according to one embodiment of the invention.
With reference to FIG. 3, a micro-integrated gyroscope 100 comprises a microstructure 102 made using. MEMS technology, a driving device 103, and a reading device 104 (also referred to as a detecting device), housed on a support 101. The microstructure 102, which will be illustrated in detail hereinafter, is provided with an actuation system 5 and an inertial sensor 6, which include respective movable masses. More precisely, the actuation system 5 comprises a driving mass 107, oscillating about a rest position according to a degree of freedom thereof, in particular along a first axis X. The inertial sensor 6 has a detection axis directed along a second axis Y, which is perpendicular to the first axis X, and comprises a sensing mass 108, mechanically connected to the driving mass 107 by means of springs (not illustrated), so as to be drawn in motion along the first axis X when the driving mass 107 is excited. Furthermore, the sensing mass 108 is relatively movable with respect to the driving mass 107 in the direction of the second axis Y and has thus a further degree of freedom.
The driving device 103 and the reading device 104 are connected to the microstructure 102 so as to form, respectively, a driving feedback loop 105, which includes the driving mass 107, and a sensing feedback loop 106, which includes the sensing mass 108. Furthermore, the reading device 104 has a first output 104 a and a second output 104 b, which supply a first output signal SOUT1, and a second output signal SOUT2, respectively. In particular, the first output signal Sout1 is correlated to the acceleration that the sensing mass 108 undergoes along the second axis Y; and the second output signal SOUT2 is correlated to displacements of the sensing mass 108, once again in a direction of the second axis Y, on account of spurious drawing motions.
As clarified in greater detail in the ensuing description, the driving device 103 exploits the driving feedback loop 105 for maintaining the driving mass 107 in self-oscillation along the first axis X at its resonance frequency ωR (for example, 4 kHz). Furthermore, the driving device 103 generates a first clock signal CK and a second clock signal CK90, 90� out of phase, and supplies them to the reading device 104, for the purpose of synchronizing the operations of driving and reading of the microstructure 102.
The gyroscope 100 operates in the way described hereinafter. The driving mass 107 is set in oscillation along the first axis X and draws along in motion, in the same direction, also the sensing mass 108. Consequently, when the microstructure 102 rotates about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the axes X, Y with a certain instantaneous angular velocity, the sensing mass 108 is subject to a Coriolis force, which is parallel to the second axis Y and is proportional to the instantaneous angular velocity of the microstructure 102 and to the linear velocity of the two masses 107, 108 along the first axis X. More precisely, the Coriolis force (Fc) is given by the equation:
where Ms is the value of the sensing mass 108, Ω is the angular velocity of the microstructure 102, and X′ is the linear velocity of the two masses 107, 108 along the first axis X.
In particular, the first output signal SOUT1 is correlated to the Coriolis force (and acceleration) and thus also to the instantaneous angular velocity of the microstructure 102; the second output signal SOUT2 is instead correlated to the spurious drawing motions. Furthermore, the first output signal SOUT1 is modulated in amplitude proportionally to the Coriolis force and, consequently, to the instantaneous angular velocity of the microstructure 102, with carrier centered at the resonance frequency ωR. The band of frequencies associated to the modulating quantity, i.e., the instantaneous angular velocity, is, however, far lower than the resonance frequency ωR (for example, 10 Hz).
FIG. 4 shows the complete layout of the microstructure 102, which is of the general type described in the patent application EP-A-1 253 399. The microstructure 102 is formed by two parts 2 a, 2 b, which are symmetrical with respect to a central axis of symmetry designated by A (parallel to the second axis Y) and are connected together via two central springs 3, arranged symmetrically with respect to a barycentric axis designated by B and parallel to the first axis X. In FIG. 4 a designated by X0 and Y0 are a rest position of the driving mass 107 with respect to the first axis X and, respectively, a rest position of the sensing mass 108 with respect to the second axis Y.
Each part 2 a, 2 b comprises a respective actuation system 5, a respective inertial sensor 6, and a mechanical connection 7, which connects the actuation system 5 to the inertial sensor 6. In FIG. 3, the microstructure 102 has been sketched in a simplified way with reference to just one of the two parts 2 a, 2 b. In detail, the actuation system 5 comprises the driving mass 107 having an open concave shape (C shape), movable actuation electrodes 11 connected to the driving mass 107, and first and second fixed actuation electrodes 13 a, 13 b, comb-fingered to the movable actuation electrodes 11. The driving mass 107 is supported by first and second anchorages 15 a, 15 b via two first and two second anchoring springs 16 a, 16 b connected to the driving mass 107 in the proximity of the outer edges of the driving mass 107 itself.
The inertial sensor 6 comprises the sensing mass 108 and movable sensing electrodes 21, comb-fingered to first and second fixed sensing electrodes 22 a, 22 b. The sensing mass 108 is surrounded on three sides by the driving mass 107 and is supported thereby through two first coupling springs 25 a and two second coupling springs 25 b. The coupling springs 25 a, 25 b constitute the mechanical connection 7 and are connected to the sensing mass 108 in the proximity of the edges thereof. The movable sensing electrodes 21 extend from a side of the sensing mass 108 not facing the driving mass 107.
The sensing mass 108 is divided into a first part 108 a and a second part and 108 b by a first insulating region 23; likewise, the driving mass 107 is divided into a main portion 107 a and two end portions 107 b by two second insulating regions 24.
In detail, the first insulating region 23 extends approximately parallel to the central axis of symmetry A so that the first part 108 a of the sensing mass 108 is supported by and connected to the driving mass 107 only via the first coupling springs 25 a, whilst the second part 108 b of the sensing mass 108 is supported by and connected to the driving mass 107 only via the second coupling springs 25 b. Furthermore, the second insulating regions 24 extend transversely to the respective C-shaped arms so that the main portion 107 a of the driving mass 107 is connected only to the first coupling springs 25 a and to the first anchoring springs 16 a, whereas the end parts 107 b of the driving mass 107 is connected only to the second coupling springs 25 b and to the second anchoring springs 16 b. The position of the second insulating regions 24 is moreover such that the movable actuation electrodes 11 extend from the main portion 107 a of the driving mass 107 and are electrically connected thereto.
Actuation biasing regions 27, of a buried type, are connected to the first anchoring regions 15 a; first detection biasing regions 28, which are also of a buried type, are connected to the second anchoring regions 15 b; second detection biasing regions 29 are connected to the first fixed sensing electrodes 22 a; and third detection biasing regions 30 are connected to the second fixed sensing electrodes 22 b. In this way, the first part 108 a of the sensing mass 108, the first coupling springs 25 a, the main portion 107 a of the driving mass 107, the movable actuation electrodes 11, the first anchoring springs 16 a, and the first anchoring regions 15 a are all set at one and the same potential, applied via the actuation biasing regions 27, and are electrically insulated, by the insulating regions 23, 24, from the rest of the suspended structures, which include the second part 108 b of the sensing mass 108, the second coupling springs 25 b, the end portions 107 b of the driving mass 107, the second anchoring springs 16 b and the second anchoring regions 15 b, biased via the first detection biasing regions 28.
With reference to FIG. 5, the driving device 103 comprises a transimpedence amplifier 109, a differentiator stage 110, a variable-gain-amplifier (VGA) circuit 111, a controller 112 and a phase-locked-loop (PLL) circuit 113.
The transimpedence amplifier 109 is of a fully differential type and has a pair of inputs connected to reading outputs 107 c, 107 d of the actuation system 5 for receiving first reading currents IRD1, IRD2, which are correlated to the linear velocity of oscillation of the driving mass 107 along the first axis X. On the outputs of the transimpedence amplifier 109 there are hence present first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2, which also indicate the linear velocity of oscillation of the driving mass 107 along the first axis X. Also the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 have equal amplitude and frequency and are 180� out of phase.
The differentiator stage 110 is cascaded to the transimpedence amplifier 109. The transfer function of the differentiator stage 110, which is of a high-pass type and has a zero at zero frequency and a pole at a frequency cop lower than the resonance frequency ωR of the microstructure 102, is of the type
T ( s ) = K s 1 + sT P where s is a complex variable, K is a constant coefficient and Tp=1/ωP is the time constant associated to the pole of the differentiator stage 110 (see also FIG. 6). Preferably, the coefficient K is such that, for frequencies higher than the frequency ωP of the pole, the gain K/Tp of the differentiator stage 110 is greater than unity. In practice, then, the differentiator stage 110 amplifies the harmonic components of the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 close to the resonance frequency ωR, whereas possible constant components are eliminated (for example offset voltages). Furthermore, in the bandpass B of the differentiator 110, i.e., for frequencies greater than the frequency ωP of the pole, the offset introduced by the differentiator stage 110 is substantially zero, since the contributions of the pole and of the zero compensate one another.
The VGA circuit 111 is connected between the differentiator stage 110 and actuation inputs 107 e, 107 f of the driving mass 107 and supplies driving feedback voltages VFBD1, VFBD2 having such magnitude and phase as to maintain the driving mass 107 in oscillation at the resonance frequency ωR. In particular, the magnitude of the driving feedback voltages VFBD1, VFBD2 depends upon the gain of the VGA circuit 111, which is determined by the controller 112 so that the overall gain of the driving feedback loop 105 is a unity gain.
The controller 112 is preferably of switched-capacitors PID type and has first inputs 112 a connected to the outputs of the differentiator stage 110, for receiving the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 amplified and depurated from any D.C. component. A second input 112 b of the controller 112 is connected to a voltage generator 115, supplying a reference voltage VREF. The controller 112 moreover has an output, which is connected to a control input 111 a of the VGA circuit 111 and supplies a control voltage Vc. In practice, the controller 112 generates the control voltage Vc on the basis of the difference between the voltages on the first inputs 112 a and the reference voltage VREF. Preferably, the gain of the VGA circuit 111 depends in a linear way upon the control voltage Vc.
The PLL circuit 113 has inputs connected to the outputs of the differentiator stage 110 through a comparator 116, of an analog type with hysteresis, and an output 113 a, connected to a clock input 112 c of the controller 112. The comparator 116 supplies at output to the PLL circuit 113 the first clock signal CK, which is a square-wave voltage having a first value in a first half-period, in which the voltages on the outputs of the differentiator stage 110 have a respective sign, and a second value in a second half-period, in which the voltages on the outputs of the differentiator stage 110 have a sign opposite to the one corresponding to the first half-period. In practice, the first clock signal switches at each change of sign of the first reading voltages VRD1 VRD2, which are in phase with the voltages on the outputs of the differentiator stage 110. Hysteresis prevents multiple switching due to noise in the proximity of the changes of sign of the voltages on the outputs of the differentiator stage 110. On the output 113 a, moreover, the PLL circuit 113 supplies the second clock signal CK90. In particular, (see FIGS. 7 and 8) the first clock signal CK has edges synchronized with zero-crossing instants of the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 (one of which is represented with a dashed line). The second clock signal CK90 is 90� out of phase with respect to the first clock signal CK and is in phase with the peak values of the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2. In other words, the first clock signal CK and the second clock signal CK90 are in phase, respectively, with the linear velocity and with the displacement of the driving mass 107 along the first axis X.
The output of the comparator 116 and the output 113 a of the PLL circuit 113 are moreover connected to the reading device 104.
As mentioned previously, the driving device 103 operates on the overall gain and phase of the driving feedback loop 105, so as to maintain the driving mass 107 constantly in oscillation at the resonance frequency ωR. The controller 112 intervenes first of all upon triggering of the oscillation by increasing the gain of the VGA circuit 111, which is then reduced so that the overall gain of the driving feedback loop 105 is substantially a unity gain. In the second place, the controller 112 prevents, following upon external stresses such as shocks or vibrations, the oscillations of the microstructure 102 from degenerating into limit cycles. In the absence of the controller 112, in fact, the response of the microstructure 102 can depart from the domain of linearity and hence can set up uncontrolled oscillating motions. The effect of the external stresses is instead limited by the controller 112, which temporarily reduces the gain of the VGA circuit 111. Finally, the action of the controller 112 enables compensation of variations with respect to the nominal value and possible drifts of the resonance frequency ωR.
The controller 112 uses the second clock signal CK90 for sampling the voltages on the outputs of the differentiator stage 110 in a consistent way, once again with the same phase. Preferably, the samples are taken at instants corresponding to edges of the second clock signal CK90, i.e., to the peak values (see FIG. 8). As already explained, the synchronization of the second clock signal CK90 is ensured by the PLL circuit 113.
The differentiator stage 110 amplifies the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 and eliminates any possible intrinsic offset of the microstructure 102 or any offset introduced by the transimpedence amplifier 109. The elimination of the offset is particularly important for correct operation of the PLL circuit 113 and, consequently, of the controller 112. As illustrated in FIG. 9, when an offset OS is present, the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 do not change sign at each half-period, but at different instants. Consequently, the comparator 116 switches at instants in which the phase of the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 is not known and phase-locking fails. Thus, the first and second clock signals CK, CK90 do not contain useful information because their edges do not correspond to the changes in sign or to the peak values of the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2. Instead, the differentiator stage 110 suppresses the offset, and hence the comparator 116 switches at instants significant for phase-locking. For this reason, the first and second clock signals CK, CK90 are synchronized to the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2 with a zero and 90� phase lag, respectively. Also the controller 112 is hence correctly clocked. The use of the differentiator stage 110 is additionally advantageous because it enables amplification of the first reading voltages VRD1, VRD2, without introducing any phase lag around the resonance frequency ωR of the microstructure 102.
With reference to FIG. 10, the reading device 164 comprises a charge amplifier 120 and a first filter 121 and a second filter 122, which are included in the sensing feedback loop 106, together with the sensing mass 108. Furthermore, the reading device 104 is provided with a demodulation stage 123, comprising a first demodulator 124 and a second demodulator 125 (mixers), associated to which are respective post-demodulation filters 126, 127. All the components 120-127 that form the reading device 104 are of a discrete-time analog type and, in particular, are made by means of fully differential switched-capacitor circuits. The electrical quantities used are hence sampled, but not quantized. Thanks to the discrete-time operation, the reading device 104 can use a single pair of terminals 108 c, 108 d of the sensing mass 108 in time-division both for reading and for actuation.
The charge amplifier 120 has inputs connected to the terminals 108 c, 108 d of the sensing mass 108 for receiving second reading currents IRS1, IRS2, which are correlated to the linear velocity of oscillation of the sensing mass 108 along the second axis Y. On account of the charge amplification, on the outputs of the charge amplifier 120 second reading voltages VRS1, VRS2 are present, which indicate the displacement of the sensing mass 108 along the second axis Y; also the second reading voltages VRS1, VRS2 have equal magnitude and frequency and are 180� out of phase with respect to one another.
The second filter 122 has a transfer function C2(Z) configured so as to recover the delays introduced by the first filter 121 and impose a condition of stability on the phase of the gain of the sensing feedback loop 106. Consequently, the transfer function C1(z) of the first filter 121 and the transfer function C2(z) of the second filter 122 ensure, in combination, the stability of the sensing feedback loop 106. In practice, the second filter 122 operates by supplying reading feedback voltages VFBR1, VFBR2 to the terminals 108 c, 108 d of the sensing mass 108.
The demodulation stage 123 is connected to the output of the first filter 121, for sampling the raw signal SRAW, which is supplied to the demodulators 124, 125. It should be noted that the point of the sensing feedback loop 106, from which the raw signal SRAW is sampled, is the most favorable as regards the signal-to-noise ratio. The first demodulator 124 has a demodulation input 124 a connected to the driving device 103 for receiving the first clock signal CK; and the second demodulator 125 has a demodulation input 125 a connected to the driving device 103 for receiving the second clock signal CK90. The outputs of the first post-demodulation filter 126 and of the second post-demodulation filter 127 form the first output 104 a and the second output 104 b, respectively, of the reading device 104.
As mentioned previously, the sensing feedback loop 106 performs a negative force feedback on the sensing mass 108 of the inertial sensor 6. In response to a displacement of the sensing mass 108 along the second axis Y, the reading device 104, by means of the reading feedback voltages VFBR1, VFBR2, applies electrostatic forces tending to bring the sensing mass 108 itself back to its rest position Y0.
The raw signal SRAW is generated within the sensing feedback loop 106 and is correlated to the displacements of the sensing mass 108 along the second axis Y. Furthermore, the raw signal SRAW is amplitude-modulated in the DSB-SC (Double Side Band-Suppressed Carrier) mode and is the sum of two components. A first component, useful for measurement of the instantaneous angular velocity, is in phase with the displacement of the sensing mass 108 and has an amplitude correlated to the Coriolis acceleration (along the second axis Y), to which the sensing mass 108 itself is subjected on account of the oscillation along the first axis X and of the rotation of the microstructure 102. A second component, 90� out of phase, is correlated to the spurious drawing motions. For example, if the driving mass 107 oscillates in a direction which is not perfectly aligned to the first axis X, the sensing mass 108 can be driven in oscillation along the second axis Y even in the absence of rotation of the microstructure 102.
Both of the contributions have the same carrier frequency, i.e., the resonance frequency ωR of the driving mass 107, but are 90� out of phase with respect to one another. In particular, the first contribution is in phase with the first clock signal CK, whereas the second contribution is in phase with the second clock signal CK90.
The first output signal SOUT1, and the second output signal SOUT2 are generated using, respectively, the first clock signal CK and the second clock signal Ck90 for demodulating the raw signal SRAW. For this reason, the first output signal SOUT1 corresponds to the first contribution, and its amplitude is hence correlated to the instantaneous angular velocity of the microstructure 102; and the second output signal SOUT2 corresponds to the second contribution, and its amplitude is correlated to the amplitude of the spurious drawing motions.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5627318 *Jul 27, 1995May 6, 1997Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Mechanical force sensing semiconductor deviceUS5719460Nov 28, 1995Feb 17, 1998Nippondenso Co., LtdAngular velocity sensorUS6253612 *May 28, 1999Jul 3, 2001Integrated Micro Instruments, Inc.Generation of mechanical oscillation applicable to vibratory rate gyroscopesUS6701786 *Apr 29, 2002Mar 9, 2004L-3 Communications CorporationClosed loop analog gyro rate sensorUS6766689 *Apr 23, 2002Jul 27, 2004Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Integrated gyroscope of semiconductor materialUS6823733 *Nov 4, 2002Nov 30, 2004Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Z-axis vibration gyroscopeUS6934665Oct 22, 2003Aug 23, 2005Motorola, Inc.Electronic sensor with signal conditioningUS7275433Aug 2, 2005Oct 2, 2007Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Micro-electro-mechanical sensor with force feedback loopUS7305880Aug 2, 2005Dec 11, 2007Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Resonant micro-electro-mechanical system with analog drivingUS20010037683 *Mar 20, 2001Nov 8, 2001Toshiyuki NozoeAngular velocity sensorUS20020178813 *May 31, 2002Dec 5, 2002Babala Michael L.Diagnostic test for a resonant micro electro mechanical systemUS20020189354 *Apr 23, 2002Dec 19, 2002Stmicroelectronics S.R.I.Integrated gyroscope of semiconductor materialUS20060032309Aug 2, 2005Feb 16, 2006Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Micro-electro-mechanical sensor with force feedback loopUS20060033588Aug 2, 2005Feb 16, 2006Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Resonant micro-electro-mechanical system with analog drivingEP1253399A1Apr 27, 2001Oct 30, 2002STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Integrated gyroscope of semiconductor materialEP1296114A1Feb 18, 2002Mar 26, 2003Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Angular velocity sensor and method of adjusting characteristics of the sensorEP1359391A2Apr 25, 2003Nov 5, 2003L-3 Communications CorporationAngular rate sensorWO1999014557A1Sep 17, 1998Mar 25, 1999British Aerospace Public Limited CompanyA digital control system for a vibrating structure gyroscopeWO2004046650A1Nov 12, 2003Jun 3, 2004Bae Systems PlcMethod and apparatus for measuring scalefactor variation in a vibrating structure gyroscope* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7980135 *Jul 19, 2011Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with self-test function and control methodUS8037756 *Oct 18, 2011Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with open loop reading device and control methodUS8375789 *Feb 19, 2013Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with position control driving and method for controlling a microelectromechanical gyroscopeUS8714012Feb 15, 2011May 6, 2014Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with inversion of actuation forces, and method for actuating a microelectromechanical gyroscopeUS8733172Mar 7, 2013May 27, 2014Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with rotary driving motion and improved electrical propertiesUS8752429Jan 11, 2013Jun 17, 2014Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical device with position control driving and method for controlling a microelectromechanical deviceUS8800369 *Sep 23, 2011Aug 12, 2014Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with open loop reading device and control methodUS8813565Mar 7, 2013Aug 26, 2014Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Reading circuit for MEMS gyroscope having inclined detection directionsUS8875578 *Oct 26, 2011Nov 4, 2014Silicon Laboratories Inc.Electronic damper circuit for MEMS sensors and resonatorsUS8950257May 9, 2013Feb 10, 2015Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Integrated microelectromechanical gyroscope with improved driving structureUS9097525 *Oct 25, 2012Aug 4, 2015Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Driving circuit for a microelectromechanical gyroscope and related microelectromechanical gyroscopeUS9217641 *Jul 15, 2014Dec 22, 2015Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with open loop reading device and control methodUS9278847Sep 25, 2013Mar 8, 2016Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with enhanced rejection of acceleration noisesUS9404747Oct 30, 2013Aug 2, 2016Stmicroelectroncs S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with compensation of quadrature error driftUS20080190199 *Feb 13, 2008Aug 14, 2008Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with self-test function and control methodUS20080190200 *Feb 13, 2008Aug 14, 2008Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with open loop reading device and control methodUS20100307243 *Dec 9, 2010Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with position control driving and method for controlling a microelectromechanical gyroscopeUS20110197675 *Aug 18, 2011Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with inversion of actuation forces, and method for actuating a microelectromechanical gyroscopeUS20120242389 *Sep 27, 2012Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaSensor control circuit and sensor systemUS20130104652 *Oct 25, 2012May 2, 2013Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Driving circuit for a microelectromechanical gyroscope and related microelectromechanical gyroscopeUS20130104656 *May 2, 2013Eric B. SmithElectronic damper circuit for mems sensors and resonatorsUS20140260609 *Mar 13, 2013Sep 18, 2014Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical device having an oscillating mass and a forcing stage, and method of controlling a microelectromechanical deviceUS20150285701 *Apr 7, 2014Oct 8, 2015Infineon Technologies AgForce feedback loop for pressure sensorsUSRE45439 *Jul 19, 2013Mar 31, 2015Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical gyroscope with self-test function and control methodUSRE45792Oct 24, 2013Nov 3, 2015Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.High sensitivity microelectromechanical sensor with driving motionUSRE45855Oct 24, 2013Jan 19, 2016Stmicroelectronics S.R.L.Microelectromechanical sensor with improved mechanical decoupling of sensing and driving modes* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification73/514.18, 73/503.3, 73/504.12International ClassificationG01C19/56, G01C19/5726, G01P15/00Cooperative ClassificationG01C19/5726European ClassificationG01C19/5726Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 26, 2012FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jun 24, 2016FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services