Rotation rate sensor with built in test circuit
First Claim
1. In a rotation rate sensing circuit for use with a piezoelectric structure which provides a rotation signal corresponding to an actual rotation of the structure:
- a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo rotation of the piezoelectric structure; and
a pickup circuit responsive to the rotation signal and the test signal for providing an output signal which corresponds to the actual rotation and the pseudo rotation of the piezoelectric structure.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rotation rate sensor which employs a built-in (i.e. internal) test circuit. The rotation rate sensor includes a piezoelectric structure. Deposited on the piezoelectric structure are at least two pickup high and two pickup low electrodes. A pickup circuit is coupled to the pickup high and pickup low electrodes. During a normal mode of operation, the piezoelectric structure is subject to a rotation about one of its axis. In response, the pickup circuit generates a rate signal which corresponds to the rotation rate of the piezoelectric structure. The test circuit is coupled to the pickup low electrodes. During a test mode of operation, the piezoelectric structure is also subject to a rotation about the axis. But, the test circuit generates at the same time a test signal which is provided to the pickup low electrodes and which corresponds to a pseudo rate of rotation. In response, the pickup circuit generates a rate signal which corresponds to the sum of the actual rate of rotation of the piezoelectric material plus the pseudo rate of rotation.
62 Citations
49 Claims
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1. In a rotation rate sensing circuit for use with a piezoelectric structure which provides a rotation signal corresponding to an actual rotation of the structure:
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a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo rotation of the piezoelectric structure; and a pickup circuit responsive to the rotation signal and the test signal for providing an output signal which corresponds to the actual rotation and the pseudo rotation of the piezoelectric structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A rotation rate sensor comprising:
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a piezoelectric structure; a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo rotation of the piezoelectric structure; means for applying the test signal to the piezoelectric structure; pickup means for picking up from the piezoelectric structure the test signal and a rotation signal which corresponds to an actual rotation of the structure; and means responsive to the signals picked up from the piezoelectric structure for generating an output signal which corresponds to the actual rotation and the pseudo rotation of the structure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A rotation rate sensor having a test mode and a normal mode of operation, comprising:
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a piezoelectric structure; a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo rate of rotation of the piezoelectric structure; means disposed on the piezoelectric structure for applying the test signal to the piezoelectric structure during the test mode; pickup means disposed on the piezoelectric structure for picking up from said structure a signal which during the normal mode of operation corresponds to actual rotation of the structure and during the test mode corresponds both to actual rotation of the structure and to the pseudo rate of rotation; and means responsive to the signal picked up from the piezoelectric structure for generating a test mode output signal which corresponds to a sum of the actual rate of rotation and the pseudo rate of rotation during the test mode and a normal mode output signal corresponding to the actual rate of rotation during the normal mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A sensor comprising:
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a piezoelectric structure; a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo deflection of the piezoelectric structure; means coupled to the test circuit for applying the test signal to the piezoelectric structure; pickup means for picking up from the structure the test signal and a signal corresponding to an actual deflection of the structure; and means responsive to the test signal and the signal corresponding to actual deflection for generating an output signal corresponding to the actual and pseudo deflections of the piezoelectric structure. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A sensor having a test mode and a normal mode of operation, the sensor comprising:
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a piezoelectric structure; a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo rate of deflection of the piezoelectric structure; means coupled to the test circuit for applying the test signal to the piezoelectric structure during the test mode; pickup means disposed on the piezoelectric structure for picking up from said structure a signal which during the normal mode of operation corresponds to an actual rate of deflection of the structure and during the test mode corresponds both to the actual rate of deflection of the structure and to the pseudo rate of deflection; and means responsive to the signal picked up from the piezoelectric structure for generating a test mode output signal which corresponds to a sum of the actual rate of deflection and the pseudo rate of deflection during the test mode and a normal output signal corresponding to the actual rate of deflection during the normal mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A sensor comprising:
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a vibratory element which provides a signal corresponding to an actual deflection of the element; a test circuit for providing a test signal corresponding to a pseudo deflection of the vibratory element; and means responsive to the signal corresponding to the actual deflection and to the test signal for providing an output signal corresponding to the actual deflection and the pseudo deflection. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification