Method and apparatus to test an accelerometer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- using an accelerometer to provide an output signal indicative of an acceleration experienced by a movable mass of a sensor of the accelerometer at an output terminal of the accelerometer, the sensor having an open loop property exhibited by the sensor between an input terminal of the sensor and an output terminal of the sensor when the sensor is placed in an open loop; and
testing the accelerometer, the testing comprising;
using a closed loop to provide the output signal of the accelerometer, wherein the closed loop comprises the sensor and is adapted to provide a feedback signal to the sensor to cause the sensor to adjust a restoring force applied to the movable mass;
injecting a test signal into the closed loop between the output terminal of the sensor and the output terminal of the accelerometer; and
determining the open loop property of the sensor based on a response of the accelerometer to the injecting of the test signal into the closed loop.
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Abstract
A technique includes using an accelerometer to provide an output signal indicative of an acceleration experienced by a movable mass of a sensor of the accelerometer. The technique includes testing the accelerometer, and the testing includes using a closed loop including the sensor to provide the output signal of the accelerometer; injecting a test signal into the loop between an output terminal of the sensor and an output terminal of the accelerometer; and indicating a performance of the accelerometer based on a response of the accelerometer to the injection of the test signal.
61 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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using an accelerometer to provide an output signal indicative of an acceleration experienced by a movable mass of a sensor of the accelerometer at an output terminal of the accelerometer, the sensor having an open loop property exhibited by the sensor between an input terminal of the sensor and an output terminal of the sensor when the sensor is placed in an open loop; and testing the accelerometer, the testing comprising; using a closed loop to provide the output signal of the accelerometer, wherein the closed loop comprises the sensor and is adapted to provide a feedback signal to the sensor to cause the sensor to adjust a restoring force applied to the movable mass; injecting a test signal into the closed loop between the output terminal of the sensor and the output terminal of the accelerometer; and determining the open loop property of the sensor based on a response of the accelerometer to the injecting of the test signal into the closed loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An accelerometer comprising:
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a closed loop comprising a sensor comprising a movable mass to sense an acceleration and an output terminal to provide an output signal indicative of the sensed acceleration, wherein the closed loop is adapted to provide a feedback signal to adjust a restoring force applied to the movable mass and the sensor having an open loop property exhibited b the sensor between an input terminal of the sensor and the output terminal of the sensor when the sensor is placed in an open loop; and a tester adapted to inject a test signal into the closed loop between an output terminal of the sensor and the output terminal of the closed loop to cause a signal at the output terminal of the closed loop and determine the open loop property of the sensor in response to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
a seismic acquisition system comprising at least one accelerometer comprising; a closed loop comprising a sensor comprising a movable mass to sense an acceleration and an output terminal to provide an output signal indicative of the sensed acceleration, wherein the closed loop is adapted to provide a feedback signal to adjust a restoring force applied to the movable mass; and a tester adapted to inject a test signal into the closed loop between an output terminal of the sensor and the output terminal of the closed loop to cause a signal at the output terminal of the closed loop and determine an open loop property of the sensor in response to the signal, the open loop property being exhibited by the sensor between an input terminal of the sensor and the output terminal of the sensor when the sensor is laced in an open loop. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification