Patent ID: 7484411

Claim:
A sensor, comprising: a first electrode array disposed on a proof mass; a second electrode array disposed on a planar surface of a support structure; the proof mass being attached to the support structure via a compliant coupling such that the first electrode array is positioned substantially parallel to and faces the second electrode array, where the proof mass is capable of displacement relative to the support structure, the displacement of the proof mass being in a direction substantially parallel to the second electrode array; the first electrode array comprising a plurality of first electrode patterns, the first electrode patterns being interdigitated, each of the first electrode patterns comprising at least two separate first electrodes, where corresponding ones of first electrodes in the first electrode patterns are coupled in common and configured to connect to a separate phase of a sinusoidal supply; and the second electrode array comprising a plurality of second electrode patterns, the second electrode patterns being interdigitated, each of second electrode patterns comprising at least three separate second electrodes, where corresponding ones of the second electrodes in the second electrode patterns are coupled in common.