Microelectromechanical gyroscope with self-test function and control method
First Claim
1. A microelectromechanical gyroscope, comprising:
- a microstructure, including a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first mass is oscillatable along a first axis and the second mass is coupled to the first mass so as to be drawn along the first axis by the first mass and to oscillate along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to a rotation of the microstructure;
a driving device coupled to the microstructure to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency;
a reading device structured to detect displacements of the second mass along the second axis; and
a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass via self-test terminals and structured to apply an electrostatic force at the driving frequency so as to move the second mass along the second axis, the self-test actuation system structured to alternatingly connect the self-test terminals to a supply line and to a ground line to alternatingly receive a supply voltage and a ground voltage .
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Abstract
A microelectromechanical gyroscope having a microstructure that includes a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first mass is oscillatable according to a first axis and the second mass is constrained to the first mass so as to be drawn along by the first mass according to the first axis and to oscillate according to a second axis, in response to a rotation of the microstructure, a driving device coupled to the microstructure to maintain the first mass in oscillation at the driving frequency, and a reading device that detects displacements of the second mass according to the second axis. The gyroscope is provided with a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass for applying an electrostatic force at the driving frequency so as to move the second mass according to the second axis.
26 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A microelectromechanical gyroscope, comprising:
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a microstructure, including a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first mass is oscillatable along a first axis and the second mass is coupled to the first mass so as to be drawn along the first axis by the first mass and to oscillate along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to a rotation of the microstructure; a driving device coupled to the microstructure to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency; a reading device structured to detect displacements of the second mass along the second axis; and a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass via self-test terminals and structured to apply an electrostatic force at the driving frequency so as to move the second mass along the second axis, the self-test actuation system structured to alternatingly connect the self-test terminals to a supply line and to a ground line to alternatingly receive a supply voltage and a ground voltage . - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling a microelectromechanical gyroscope, comprising:
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providing a microstructure including a first mass oscillatable along a first axis and a second mass; coupling the second mass to the first mass so that the second mass is drawn along the first axis by the first mass and oscillates along a second axis in response to a rotation of the microstructure; feedback controlling a velocity of the first mass to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency; and applying an electrostatic force to the second mass via self-test terminals at the driving frequency by alternatingly coupling the self-test terminals to a supply line and to a ground line to alternatingly receive a supply voltage and a ground voltage so as to move the second mass along the second axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A circuit adapted for use with a microelectromechanical gyroscope having a first mass and a second mass oscillatable in response to oscillations of the first mass, the circuit comprising:
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a driving circuit coupled to the first mass to drive the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency; a reading device coupled to the second mass and adapted to detect displacements of the second mass; and a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass via self-test electrodes and structured to drive the second mass through application of an electrostatic force at a driving frequency by coupling the self-test electrodes alternatingly to a supply voltage and a ground voltage in order to move the second mass. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A system, comprising:
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a control circuit; a microelectromechanical gyroscope that comprises; a microstructure having a first mass and a second mass coupled to the first mass to oscillate in response to oscillations of the first mass; a driving device comprising; a driving circuit coupled to the first mass to drive the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency; a reading device coupled to the second mass and adapted to detect displacements of the second mass; and a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass and structured to drive the second mass through application of an electrostatic force at a driving frequency by coupling the second mass alternatingly to a supply voltage line and a ground voltage line in order to move the second mass. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A microelectromechanical gyroscope, comprising:
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a microstructure, including a first mass and a second mass, wherein the first mass is oscillatable along a first axis and the second mass is coupled to the first mass so as to be drawn along the first axis by the first mass and to oscillate along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in response to a rotation of the microstructure; a driving device coupled to the microstructure to maintain the first mass in oscillation at a driving frequency; a reading device structured to detect displacements of the second mass along the second axis; and a self-test actuation system coupled to the second mass via self-test terminals and structured to apply an electrostatic force at the driving frequency so as to move the second mass along the second axis, the self-test actuation system structured to be selectively enabled in a first operating mode and disabled in a second operating mode, and wherein in the second operating mode the self-test terminals are connected to a reference line issuing a constant reference voltage. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification