Quality factor estimation for resonators
First Claim
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1. A method of estimating a quality factor of a resonator, the method comprising:
- driving the resonator between alternating ramp-up and ring-down phases, the ramp-up phases driven using a first drive signal for a first duration, the ring-down phases driven using a second drive signal for a second duration, wherein the first drive signal has a first amplitude and wherein the second drive signal has a second amplitude less than the first amplitude;
making first and second measurements of a parameter associated with a resonance of the resonator; and
producing an estimation of the quality factor of the resonator based on the first and second measurements.
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Abstract
Various embodiments provide methods of determining the quality factor of a resonating body in ways that are advantageous over previously known methods. For example, embodiments allow the determination of the quality factors of a resonating body without preventing the simultaneous use of the resonating body. For micromachined (“MEMS”) devices, embodiments allow the determination of the quality factors of a resonating body in a manner that is not dependent on transduction parameters of the MEMS device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of estimating a quality factor of a resonator, the method comprising:
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driving the resonator between alternating ramp-up and ring-down phases, the ramp-up phases driven using a first drive signal for a first duration, the ring-down phases driven using a second drive signal for a second duration, wherein the first drive signal has a first amplitude and wherein the second drive signal has a second amplitude less than the first amplitude; making first and second measurements of a parameter associated with a resonance of the resonator; and producing an estimation of the quality factor of the resonator based on the first and second measurements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Apparatus for estimating a quality factor of a resonator, the apparatus comprising:
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a driver circuit configured to drive the resonator between alternating ramp-up and ring-down phases, the ramp-up phases driven using the first drive signal for a first duration, the ring-down phases driven using a second drive signal for a second duration, wherein the first drive signal has a first amplitude and wherein the second drive signal has a second amplitude less than the first amplitude; and a quality factor measurement circuit configured to make first and second measurements of a parameter associated with a resonance of the resonator, the quality factor measurement circuit further configured to produce an estimation of the quality factor of the resonator based on the first and second measurements. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A MEMS gyroscope comprising:
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a resonator; a driver circuit configured to drive the resonator between alternating ramp-up and ring-down phases, the ramp-up phases driven using a first drive signal for a first duration, the ring-down phases driven using a second drive signal for a second duration, wherein the first drive signal has a first amplitude and wherein the second drive signal has a second amplitude less than the first amplitude; a quality factor measurement circuit configured to make first and second measurements of a parameter associated with a resonance of the resonator, the quality factor measurement circuit further configured to produce an estimation of a quality factor of the resonator based on the first and second measurements; and a gyroscope output circuit configured to sense rotation of the MEMS gyroscope based on Coriolis-induced signals. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification