Patent ID: 8118058

Claim:
A method comprising: for each of a plurality of potential frequencies for a testing periodic waveform, adjusting, by a processor, a frequency of the testing periodic waveform to be the potential frequency and determining an associated extent of stiction of an electronically controlled device based on an output of the device when the adjusted testing periodic waveform is used; selecting, by the processor, one of the plurality of potential frequencies as a selected frequency based at least in part on the associated extent of stiction; for each of a plurality of potential amplitudes for the testing periodic waveform, adjusting, by the processor, the amplitude of the testing periodic waveform to be the potential amplitude and determining an associated extent of stiction of the electronically controlled device based on an output of the device when the adjusted testing periodic waveform is used; selecting, by the processor, one of the plurality of potential amplitudes as a selected amplitude based at least in part on the associated extent of stiction; creating an operational periodic waveform having the selected frequency and the selected amplitude; coupling the operational periodic waveform to at least one control signal to generate a modified control signal; and providing the modified control signal to an output circuit that is coupled to an actuator of the electronically controlled device.