METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DRIVER NOISE REDUCTION IN A MEMS GYRO

• US 20080238537A1
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Belt, Ronald A., Mueller, Jon H.
• Application Number:
  US11/695,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20080238537A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 327/551
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5719 using planar vibrating masses driven in a translation vibration along an axis

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing driver noise in a MicroElectro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscope system are disclosed. An example system includes motor drivers, two proof masses, two substrate electrodes, two motor drive capacitors, and two stationary capacitors. The motor drivers drive the proof masses through the motor driver capacitors. The stationary capacitors output a signal based on the drive signal from the motor drivers. A differential amplifier receives a sense signal from the proof masses and a noise signal from the stationary capacitors, and subtracts the noise signal from the rate sense signal, thereby producing a sense signal with reduced driver noise.

Claims

1. A method for driver noise reduction in a MicroElectro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscope having one or more proof masses and one or more substrate electrodes, the method comprising:

sending a motor drive signal to at least one motor drive capacitor and at least one stationary capacitor;

receiving a sense signal from one of the one or more proof masses or the one or more substrate electrodes and a signal from the at least one stationary capacitor; and

subtracting the signal from the at least one stationary capacitor from the sense signal, thereby producing a rate signal with reduced driver noise.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one stationary capacitor has a capacitance nearly equal in value to an associated motor drive capacitor.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the motor drive and stationary capacitors are comb capacitors.

4. A MicroElectro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) gyroscope system for reducing driver noise, the system comprising:

motor drive components configured to generate motor drive signals;

at least one proof mass;

at least one substrate electrode;

at least one motor drive capacitor configured to receive one of the generated motor drive signals and drive the at least one proof mass;

at least one stationary capacitor configured to receive the generated drive signal and output a signal; and

a component configured to receive a sense signal from one of the one or more proof masses or the one or more substrate electrodes and subtract the signal from the at least one stationary capacitor from the sense signal, thereby producing a sense signal with reduced driver noise.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one stationary capacitor has a capacitance nearly equal in value to an associated motor drive capacitor.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the drive and stationary capacitors are comb capacitors.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the motor drive capacitors and stationary capacitors are identical in dimensions and construction.