PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11287442-B2
Application Number: US-201816145153-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Continuous calibration of accelerometer sensitivity by proof-mass dithering

Abstract:
An in-situ test calibration system and method are disclosed where a perpetual out-of-band electrostatic force induced excitation is used to dither the proof-mass of a MEMS based accelerometer where the amount of deflection change is proportional to sensitivity changes. The supplier of the accelerometer would exercise the accelerometer in a calibration station to determine initial sensitivity values. After the calibration and before removing the accelerometer from the calibration station, the supplier would start the dither and calibrate the acceleration equivalent force (F G ) to drive voltage transfer function (F G /V). After installation of the accelerometer into a system or sometime later in the field, any changes in the F G /V transfer function due to changes in the sensitivity are observable and can be used for re-calibrating the accelerometer.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of calibrating accelerometer sensitivity of a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer, comprising:
 driving a proof mass of the MEMS based accelerometer into oscillation using a drive signal oscillating at a drive frequency; 
 converting a change in capacitance of the MEMS based accelerometer caused by a deflection of the oscillating proof mass into an analog signal; 
 demodulating the analog signal using a reference signal oscillating at the drive frequency, the demodulating generating an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity; 
 converting the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal; and 
 calibrating a gain of the MEMS based accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drive frequency is within a substantially flat portion of a frequency response of the MEMS based accelerometer and outside a measurement frequency band of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 demodulating the analog signal using a reference signal having a frequency that is higher than the drive signal frequency, the demodulating generating an analog measurement signal that is proportional to sensed acceleration of the MEMS based accelerometer; 
 converting the analog measurement signal into a digital measurement signal; 
 filtering the digital measurement signal to attenuate the digital measurement signal at the drive frequency; and 
 outputting the filtered digital measurement signal as a measurement of the sensed acceleration of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the filtering includes applying a notch filter to the digital measurement signal to attenuate the digital measurement signal at the drive frequency. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing a stored digital sensitivity signal with the digital sensitivity signal; and 
 calibrating the gain of the accelerometer based on results of the comparing. 
 
     
     
       6. A calibration system for calibrating acceleration sensitivity of a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer, comprising:
 a substrate; 
 a proof mass coupled to the substrate; 
 a first pair of electrodes coupled to the substrate and configured to sense capacitance variation in response to a deflection of the proof mass; 
 a second pair of electrodes configured to drive the proof mass into oscillation in response to a drive signal; 
 one of more circuits configured to:
 generate the drive signal; 
 convert the change in capacitance into an analog signal; 
 demodulate the analog signal using a reference signal oscillating at a drive frequency, the demodulating generating an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity; 
 convert the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal; and 
 calibrate a gain of the MEMS based accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second pairs of electrodes are differential electrodes. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second pair of electrodes are lateral comb electrodes. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the drive frequency is within a substantially flat portion of a frequency response curve of the MEMS based accelerometer and outside a measurement frequency band of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 demodulating the analog signal using a reference signal having a frequency that is higher than the drive signal frequency, the demodulating generating an analog measurement signal that is proportional to sensed acceleration of the MEMS based accelerometer; 
 converting the analog measurement signal into a digital measurement signal; 
 filtering the digital measurement signal to attenuate the digital measurement signal at the drive frequency; and 
 outputting the filtered digital measurement signal as a measurement of the sensed acceleration of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the filtering includes applying a notch filter to the digital measurement signal to attenuate the digital measurement signal at the drive frequency. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 comparing a stored digital sensitivity signal with the digital sensitivity signal; and 
 calibrating the gain of the accelerometer based on results of the comparing. 
 
     
     
       13. An electronic system comprising:
 a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer; 
 a calibration system for calibrating acceleration sensitivity of the MEMS based accelerometer, the calibration system comprising:
 a substrate; 
 a proof mass coupled to the substrate; 
 a first pair of electrodes coupled to the substrate and configured to sense capacitance variation in response to a deflection of the proof mass; 
 a second pair of electrodes configured to drive the proof mass into oscillation in response to a drive signal; 
 one of more circuits configured to:
 generate the drive signal; 
 convert the change in capacitance into an analog signal; 
 demodulate the analog signal using a reference signal oscillating at a drive frequency, the demodulating generating an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity; 
 convert the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal; and 
 calibrate a gain of the MEMS based accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal; 
 
 one or more processors; 
 memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
 obtaining acceleration data from the MEMS based accelerometer; 
 calculating a location of the electronic system or a step count using the acceleration data; and 
 providing the location or step count to one or more client applications or electronic system components. 
 
 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic system of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second pairs of electrodes are differential electrodes. 
     
     
       15. The electronic system of  claim 13 , wherein the second pair of electrodes are lateral comb electrodes. 
     
     
       16. The electronic system of  claim 13 , wherein the drive frequency is within a substantially flat portion of a frequency response of the MEMS based accelerometer and outside a measurement frequency band of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
     
     
       17. The electronic system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 demodulating the analog signal using a reference signal having a frequency that is higher than the drive signal frequency, the demodulating generating an analog measurement signal that is proportional to sensed acceleration of the MEMS based accelerometer; 
 converting the analog measurement signal into a digital measurement signal; 
 filtering the digital measurement signal to attenuate the digital measurement signal at the drive frequency; and 
 outputting the filtered digital measurement signal as a measurement of the sensed acceleration of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic system of  claim 17 , wherein the filtering includes applying a notch filter to the digital measurement signal to attenuate the digital measurement signal at the drive frequency. 
     
     
       19. The electronic system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 comparing a stored digital sensitivity signal with the digital sensitivity signal; and 
 calibrating the gain of the accelerometer based on results of the comparing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/639,464, filed Mar. 6, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to calibrating micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The sensitivity of MEMS based accelerometers is normally calibrated by the accelerometer supplier using a known sequence of orientations relative to gravity. The sensitivity, however, is dependent on a number of electromechanical properties that are strain sensitive and/or change over the life of the accelerometer. As a result, the sensitivity shifts after installation into the end-user&#39;s system or drifts over the life of the accelerometer. Because the true input stimuli into the accelerometer after installation is not observable, it is difficult to conveniently recalibrate the sensitivity. 
     SUMMARY 
     A calibration system and method are disclosed for continuous calibration of accelerometer sensitivity by proof-mass dithering. In an embodiment, a method of calibrating accelerometer sensitivity of a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer comprises: driving a proof mass of the MEMS accelerometer into oscillation using a drive signal oscillating at a drive frequency; converting a change in capacitance of the MEMS accelerometer caused by a deflection of the oscillating proof mass into an analog signal; demodulating the analog signal using a reference signal oscillating at the drive frequency, the demodulating generating an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity; converting the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal; and calibrating a gain of the MEMS accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal. 
     In an embodiment, a calibration system for calibrating acceleration sensitivity of a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer, comprises: a substrate; a proof mass coupled to the substrate; a first pair of electrodes coupled to the substrate and configured to sense capacitance variation in response to a deflection of the proof mass; a second pair of electrodes configured to drive the proof mass into oscillation in response to a drive signal; one of more circuits configured to: generate the drive signal; convert the change in capacitance into an analog signal; demodulate the analog signal using a reference signal oscillating at the drive frequency, the demodulating generating an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity; convert the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal; and calibrate a gain of the MEMS accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal. 
     In an embodiment, an electronic system comprises: a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer; a calibration system for calibrating acceleration sensitivity of the MEMS based accelerometer, the calibration system comprising: a substrate; a proof mass coupled to the substrate; a first pair of electrodes coupled to the substrate and configured to sense capacitance variation in response to a deflection of the proof mass; a second pair of electrodes configured to drive the proof mass into oscillation in response to a drive signal; one or more circuits configured to: generate the drive signal; convert the change in capacitance into an analog signal; demodulate the analog signal using a reference signal oscillating at the drive frequency, the demodulating generating an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity; convert the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal; and calibrate a gain of the MEMS accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal; one or more processors; memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: obtaining acceleration data from the MEMS based accelerometer; calculating a location of the electronic system or a step count using the acceleration data; and providing the location or step count to one or more client applications or electronic system components. 
     In an embodiment, a calibration system for calibrating acceleration sensitivity of a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer, comprises: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a first capacitance-to-voltage (C2V) converter coupled to the positive electrode and configured to generate a first voltage signal in response to a change of capacitance of the MEMS based accelerometer; a second C2V converter coupled to the negative electrode and configured to generate a second voltage signal in response to the change of capacitance of the MEMS based accelerometer; a summing amplifier coupled to outputs of the first and second C2V converters and configured to convert the first and second voltage signals into a third voltage signal; a first processing path coupled to the output of the summing amplifier, the first processing path including a first demodulator for demodulating a sense signal from the third voltage signal using a first reference signal having a first frequency, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the sense signal to a digital sense signal and a filter configured to attenuate the digital sense signal at a test signal frequency; and a second processing path coupled to the output of the summing amplifier, the second processing path including a second demodulator for demodulating a sensitivity signal from the third voltage signal using a second reference signal having a second frequency that is lower than a the first frequency, a second ADC for converting the sensitivity signal to a digital sensitivity signal, a feed through store configured to store the output of the second ADC and a subtraction node configured to subtract contents of the feed through store from the sensitivity signal, wherein virtual ground inputs of the first and second C2V converters are coupled to one of two virtual ground voltages by a first switch controlled by a switch signal, and wherein the output of the second ADC is coupled to one of the feed through store or the subtraction node in response to the switch signal. 
     The details of the disclosed implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages are apparent from the description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conceptual diagram of a calibration system for a single mass MEMS based accelerometer, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates continuous calibration of the MEMS based accelerometer of  FIG. 1  by proof-mass dithering, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an in-plane implementation (X/Y axis) of an alternative calibration system for a MEMS based accelerometer that includes lateral comb test electrodes to improve linearity, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of an out-of-plane implementation (Z axis) of an alternative calibration system for a MEMS based accelerometer that includes lateral comb test electrodes to improve linearity, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3C  is a back view of the calibration system of  FIG. 3B  showing out-of-plane lateral comb test electrodes, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a calibration system for continuous calibration of the MEMS based accelerometer of  FIG. 1  by proof-mass dithering, wherein a single pair of differential electrodes are used for both testing and measurement, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is flow diagram of a process for continuous calibration of a MEMS based accelerometer, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic system architecture for implementing the MEMS based accelerometer described in reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The same reference symbol used in various drawings indicates like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     System Overview 
     An in-situ test calibration system and method are disclosed where a perpetual out-of-band electrostatic force induced excitation is used to dither the proof-mass of a MEMS based accelerometer where the amount of deflection change is proportional to sensitivity changes. The supplier of the accelerometer would exercise the accelerometer in a calibration station to determine initial sensitivity values. After the calibration and before removing the accelerometer from the calibration station, the supplier would start the dither and calibrate the acceleration equivalent force (F G ) to drive voltage transfer function (F G /V). After installation of the accelerometer into a system or sometime later in the field, any changes in the F G /V transfer function due to changes in the sensitivity are observable and can be used for re-calibrating the accelerometer. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates conceptual diagram of a calibration system  100  for a single mass MEMS based accelerometer, according to an embodiment. System includes proof-mass  101  coupled to substrate  102  by spring  106  having spring constant k 1 . Finger portion  105   a  of proof-mass  101  is disposed between parallel plate test electrodes  103   a ,  103   b , and finger portion  105   c  of proof-mass  101  is disposed between parallel plate test electrodes  103   c ,  103   d . Finger portion  105   b  of proof-mass  101  is disposed between differential sense electrodes  104   a ,  104   b , and finger portion  105   d  of proof-mass  101  is disposed between differential sense electrodes  104   c ,  104   d . There is an initial gap “d” between finger portions  105   a ,  105   c  and test electrodes  103   a ,  103   c , respectively, and between finger portions  105   a ,  105   c  and test electrodes  103   b ,  103   d , respectively. There is also a gap “d” between finger portions  105   b  and sense electrodes  104   a ,  104   b , and between finger portion  105   d  and sense electrodes  104   c ,  104   d.    
     In operation, test electrodes  103   a - 103   d  are used to continuously drive proof-mass  101  to oscillate (dither) to allow monitoring of sensitivity of the MEMS based accelerometer. In an example embodiment, proof-mass  101  is driven by test electrodes  103   a - 103   d  to continuously oscillate at 500 Hz, where 500 Hz is outside the band of measurement of interest but still on a flat portion of the accelerometer frequency response curve. The gap change due to motion is given by z=x 1 −y and the gap change due to initial offset is z 0 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates continuous calibration of the MEMS based accelerometer of  FIG. 1  by proof-mass dithering, according to an embodiment. A test signal (e.g., a 500 Hz square wave) is applied to test electrodes  103   a - 103   d  as a test force to drive proof-mass  101  into oscillation. The 500 Hz frequency test signal is outside the measurement frequency range of interest (e.g., DC to 100 Hz), but is still on the flat part of the mechanical frequency response curve of the MEMS based accelerometer. The 500 Hz test signal is added through superposition to a reference signal (e.g., a 50 kHz reference signal) used to measure the sense capacitance. The charge “q” on the varying capacitance is input to C2V converter  202  that converts the charge into an analog voltage signal, where q=VREF*(C SENSE P −C SENSE N ) and VREF is the reference signal used to create the charge q proportional to the sense capacitance to facilitate measurement of acceleration. 
     The analog voltage signal is processed along two signal processing paths. A first processing path includes demodulator  203   a , analog-to-digital (ADC) converter  204  and filter  205 . Demodulator  203   a  demodulates the analog voltage signal into an analog sense signal using VREF (e.g., 50 kHz square wave @ 1V). The analog sense signal is then converted by ADC  204  into a digital sense signal. The digital sense signal is than filtered (e.g., using a 500 Hz notch filter) to attenuate the analog sense signal at 500 Hz contributed by the test signal. The resulting output signal is a digital sense signal that indicates sensed acceleration along a sense axis of the MEMS based accelerometer. A second processing path includes demodulator  203   b  and ADC  206 . Demodulator  203   b  demodulates the analog voltage signal into an analog sensitivity signal using the 500 Hz test signal. The analog sensitivity signal is then converted by ADC  206  to a digital sensitivity signal that is proportional to the accelerometer sensitivity. The analog sensitivity signal can be stored in memory or a hardware register, and used to calibrate the gain of the MEMS based accelerometer after it has been deployed into the field. 
     One of the shortcomings of using parallel plate electrodes is that both the accelerometer sensitivity and the acceleration equivalent force (F G /V) are nonlinear functions of the gap change. In reference to  FIG. 2 , for an accelerometer with a gap change of z 0 , the accelerometer has positive and negative sense capacitance C P  and C N  given by: 
                       C   P     =       A   ⁢           ⁢     ɛ   0         (     d   -   z   -     z   0       )         ,           [   1   ]                   C   N     =       A   ⁢           ⁢     ɛ   0         (     d   +   z   +     z   0       )         ,           [   2   ]               
where A is the capacitive plate area, ε 0  is permittivity of space, d is gap distance, and z is the gap change due to motion along the z axis. The accelerometer sensitivity is proportional to the change in capacitance
 
                   ∂   Δ     ⁢           ⁢   C       ∂   z       ,         
where ΔC=C P −C N . The positive (F G,P ) and negative (F G,N ) electrostatic force components at the test frequency applied on the proof mass by the positive and negative test electrodes are given as:
 
                       F     G   ,   P       =         A   ⁢           ⁢     ɛ   0           (     d   -   z   -     z   0       )     2       ⁢     V   B     ⁢     V     TEST   ⁢           ⁢   _   ⁢           ⁢   P           ,           [   3   ]                   F     G   ,   N       =       -       A   ⁢           ⁢     ɛ   0           (     d   +   z   +     z   0       )     2         ⁢     V   B     ⁢     V     TEST   ⁢           ⁢   _   ⁢           ⁢   N           ,           [   4   ]               
where (V B ) is the DC bias between the proof-mass and test electrodes and V TEST_P  and V TEST_N  are AC square wave voltages whose phases are 180° apart applied on the positive and negative test electrodes, respectively. The net sum of the two forces is the acceleration equivalent force F G . It can be observed that both accelerometer sensitivity
 
                 ∂   Δ     ⁢           ⁢   C       ∂   z           
and F G  depend on the gap change. Because of this, sensitivity changes due to gap and sensitivity changes due to mass or stiffness change cannot be separated using the embodiment described in  FIG. 2  alone.
 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an in-plane implementation (X/Y axis) of an alternative calibration system for a MEMS based accelerometer that includes lateral comb test electrodes to improve linearity, according to an embodiment. System  300  includes proof-mass  301 , substrate  302  and spring  306  (k 1 ). Finger portion  304   a  of proof-mass  301  is disposed between differential sense electrodes  303   a ,  303   b . Finger portion  304   b  of proof-mass  301  is disposed between finger portions  303   c  and  303   d . Finger portion  304   c  of proof-mass  301  is disposed within lateral comb electrode  305   a , finger portion  304   d  of proof-mass  301  is disposed within lateral comb electrode  305   b , finger portion  304   e  of proof-mass  301  is disposed within lateral comb electrode  305   c  and finger portion  304   f  of proof-mass  301  is disposed within lateral comb  305   d . There is an initial gap space “d” between the finger portions  304   c - 304   f  and their respective lateral comb electrodes  305   a - 305   d.    
     Lateral comb electrodes are inherently more linear as can be observed from the lateral electrostatic force equations: 
                       F     G   ,   P       =         t   ⁢           ⁢     ɛ   0       d     ⁢     V   B     ⁢     V     TEST   ⁢           ⁢   _   ⁢           ⁢   P           ,   and           [   5   ]                   F     G   ,   N       =       -       t   ⁢           ⁢     ɛ   0       d       ⁢     V   B     ⁢     V     TEST   ⁢           ⁢   _   ⁢           ⁢   N           ,           [   6   ]               
where t is the out-of-plane thickness of the lateral comb electrode. As shown in Equations [5] and [6], the lateral electrostatic force is a function of out-of-plane thickness t and cross-axis gap d, which in an embodiment are designed to be constant parameters.
 
       FIG. 3B  is a top view of an out-of-plane implementation (Z axis) of an alternative calibration system for a MEMS based accelerometer that includes lateral comb test electrodes to improve linearity, according to an embodiment. Out-of-plane differential sense electrodes  303   e ,  303   f  are shown. Also, shown is anchor  306  for anchoring proof-mass  301  to substrate  302  and flexible member  307  (e.g., a torsion bar), which is configured to allow proof-mass  301  to deflect or rotate in response to an external force. 
       FIG. 3C  is a back view of the calibration system  300  of  FIG. 3A  showing out-of-plane lateral comb test electrodes  305   e ,  305   f  are shown mounted on substrate  302 . Proof-mass  301  is also shown. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a calibration system  400  for continuous calibration of the MEMS based accelerometer of  FIG. 1  by proof-mass dithering, wherein a single pair of differential electrodes are used for both testing and measurement, according to an embodiment. Although parallel plate test electrodes are shown, lateral comb test electrodes can also be used in this embodiment. 
     In this embodiment, circuit  401  includes shared electrodes  403   a - 403   d , C2V converter  404   a , C2V converter  404   b , summing amplifier  405 , demodulator  406   a , ADC  407   a , filter  408 , demodulator  406   b , ADC  407   b , feed through (FT) store  409  and difference node  410 . Switch  411  is configured to switch between line  412  and  413  based in response from a switch signal (TST_CON), which can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. 
     In this example embodiment, a first input to C2V converter  404   a  is coupled to shared positive electrodes  403   a  and  403   b , and the virtual ground of C2V converter  404   a  is coupled to switch  411   b , which is configured to switch between virtual ground V+ or V C  based on a response from the switch signal TST_CON. A first input of C2V converter  404   b  is coupled to shared negative electrodes  403   b  and  403   c , and a virtual ground of C2V converter  404   b  is coupled to switch  411   c , which is configured to switch between virtual ground V− or V C  based on a response from the switch signal TST_CON. The outputs of C2V converters  404   a ,  404   b  are coupled to differential inputs of summing amplifier  405 . The output of summing amplifier  405  is input into circuitry  402  that includes two processing paths, as described in reference to the calibration system  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A first processing path includes demodulator  406   a , ADC  407   a  and filter  408  (e.g., a notch filter) that operate in a similar manner to demodulator  203   a , ADC  204  and filter  205  (e.g., a notch filter). The second processing path includes demodulator  406   b  and ADC  407   b , which also operate in a similar manner as demodulator  203   b  and ADC  206  of  FIG. 2 . The second processing path differs from the second processing path shown in  FIG. 2  by adding FT store  409  (e.g., memory), difference node  410  and switch  411 . 
     The electrodes operate in two different modes depending on the value of TST_CON: sense and test. When operating in sense mode, where TST_CON is high, switch  411  connects line  412  to FT storage  409 , the virtual grounds on  404   a  and  404   b  are both coupled to V C , there is no sensitivity output on Sense REF and the capacitive feed through value is being measured and stored in FT storage  409 . 
     When operating in test mode, where TST_CON is low, switch  411  couples line  412  to line  413 , the virtual ground on  404   a  is connected to V+, the virtual ground on  404   b  is coupled to V−, the feed through is being subtracted out by difference node  410  and the compensated test signal proportional to sensitivity is being output on Sense REF. 
     An advantage of sharing electrodes is that a second pair of test electrodes are not needed, which may reduce the cost of manufacture and/or simplify integration of the calibration system  400  into existing designs for MEMS based accelerometers. 
     Example Processes 
       FIG. 5  is flow diagram of a process for continuous calibration of a MEMS based accelerometer, according to an embodiment. Process  500  can be implemented using, for example, electronic system  600  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Process  500  can begin by driving a proof-mass into oscillation using a test signal having a first frequency ( 501 ). For example, a 500 Hz square wave can be used as the test signal. Although any test signal frequency can be used, it is preferable that the test signal frequency be outside the measurement band of the MEMS based accelerometer and also in the flat area of the frequency response curve of the MEMS based accelerometer. 
     Process  500  can continue by converting a change in capacitance caused by deflection of the oscillating proof-mass into an analog signal ( 502 ). For example, a differential C2V converter can be used to perform the conversion into an analog voltage signal. 
     Process  500  can continue by demodulating the analog signal using a reference signal at the test signal frequency to generate an analog sensitivity signal that is proportional to accelerometer sensitivity ( 503 ). For example, in a first processing path a synchronous demodulator can be used to demodulate the analog signal. 
     Process  500  can continue by converting analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal ( 504 ). For example, in the first processing path an ADC can be used to convert the analog sensitivity signal into a digital sensitivity signal. The digital sensitivity signal can be stored in, for example, memory or a hardware register. 
     Process  505  can continue by calibrating the gain of the accelerometer according to the digital sensitivity signal ( 505 ). Periodically or based on a trigger event, the gain of the accelerometer can be adjusted according to the value of the digital sensitivity signal stored in memory or the hardware register. 
     Example System Architecture 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an electronic system architecture for implementing the MEMS based accelerometer described in reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , according to an embodiment. Architecture  600  can be included in any electronic device that uses motion sensors, including but not limited to: smart phones, tablet computers, wearable devices (e.g., a smart watch) and automotive systems. 
     Architecture  600  includes processor(s), memory interface  602 , peripherals interface  603 , motion sensors  604   a  . . .  604   n , display device  605  (e.g., touch screen, LCD display, LED display), I/O interface  606  and input devices  607  (e.g., touch surface/screen, hardware buttons/switches/wheels, virtual or hardware keyboard, mouse). Memory  612  can include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). 
     Memory  612  stores operating system instructions  608 , sensor processing instructions  609  and application instructions  612 . Operating system instructions  608  include instructions for implementing an operating system on the device, such as iOS, Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. Operating system instructions  608  may include instructions for handling basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks. Sensor-processing instructions  609  perform post-processing on motion sensor data (e.g., averaging) and provide control signals to motion sensors. Application instructions  610  implement software programs that use data from one or more motion sensors  604   a  . . .  604   n , such as navigation, digital pedometer, tracking or map applications. At least one motion sensor  604   a  is a capacitive-based MEMS accelerometer that operates as described in reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     For example, in a navigation application executed on a smart phone, acceleration data is provided by the capacitive-based MEMS accelerometer to processor(s)  601  through peripheral interface  603 . Processor(s)  601  execute sensor-processing instructions  609 , to perform further processing of the acceleration data (e.g., averaging). Processor(s)  601  execute instructions for various applications running on the smart phone. For example, the acceleration data can be used to determine a more accurate location of the smart phone in a reference coordinate system. The location can be used by the navigation application to perform a variety of navigation functions (e.g., location tracking, route navigation, turn-by-turn instructions). In a fitness application, the more accurate acceleration can be used by a digital pedometer to calculate a more accurate step count and distance traveled. Other applications are also possible (e.g., gaming applications). 
     While this document contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub combination or variation of a sub combination. Logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180927
Publication Date: 20220329
Grant Date: 20220329
Priority Date: 20180306
Inventors: SMITH, WESLEY S.
PAINTER, CHRISTOPHER C.
TSANG, SEE-HO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G01P15/0802", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P2015/0814", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P15/125", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P2015/0868", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P21/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P2015/0868", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P21/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0235", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P2015/0831", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P15/125", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0235", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P21/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P2015/0868", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P15/125", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01P15/0802", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 67843882