Real-Time Built-In Self-Test of MEMS Gyroscope Based on Quadrature Error Signal

In high-reliability applications, the health condition of the MEMS gyroscope needs to be known in real time to ensure that the system does not fail due to the wrong output signal. Because the MEMS gyroscope self-test based on the principle of electrostatic force cannot be performed during the working state. We propose that by monitoring the quadrature error signal of the MEMS gyroscope in real time, an online self-test of the MEMS gyroscope can be realized. The correlation between the gyroscope’s quadrature error amplitude signal and the gyroscope scale factor and bias was theoretically analyzed. Based on the sixteen-sided cobweb-like MEMS gyroscope, the real-time built-in self-test (BIST) method of the MEMS gyroscope based on the quadrature error signal was verified. By artificially setting the control signal of the gyroscope to zero, we imitated several scenarios where the gyroscope malfunctioned. Moreover, a mechanical impact table was used to impact the gyroscope. After a 6000 g shock, the gyroscope scale factor, bias, and quadrature error amplitude changed by −1.02%, −5.76%, and −3.74%, respectively, compared to before the impact. The gyroscope failed after a 10,000 g impact, and the quadrature error amplitude changed −99.82% compared to before the impact. The experimental results show that, when the amplitude of the quadrature error signal seriously deviates from the original value, it can be determined that the gyroscope output signal is invalid.

Design of Readout Circuit with Quadrature Error and Auxiliary PLL for MEMS Vibratory Gyroscope

Traditional MEMS gyroscope readout eliminates quadrature error and relies on the phase relationship between the drive displacement and the Coriolis position to accomplish a coherent demodulation. This scheme shows some risk, especially for a mode-matching gyro. If only a slight resonant frequency deviation between the drive and sense mode occurs, a dramatic change in the phase relationship follows, which leads to a wrong demodulation. To solve this, this paper proposes a new readout based on the quadrature error and an auxiliary phase-locked loop (PLL). By tuning the phase shifter in the sense-mode circuit, letting the quadrature error and the carrier of the mixer be in 90° phase alignment, the Coriolis was simultaneously in phase with the carrier. Hence, the demodulation was accomplished. The carrier comes from the PLL output of the drive-mode circuit due to its low jitter and independence of the work mode of the gyro. Moreover, an auxiliary PLL is used to filter the quadrature error to enhance the phase alignment accuracy. Through an elaborate design, a printed circuit board was used to verify the proposed idea. The experimental results show the readout circuit functioned well. The scale factor of the gyro was 6.8 mV/°/s, and the bias instability was 204°/h.

Micromachined Vibrating Ring Gyroscope Architecture with High-Linearity, Low Quadrature Error and Improved Mode Ordering

A new micromachined vibrating ring gyroscope (VRG) architecture with low quadrature error and high-linearity is proposed, which successfully optimizes the working modes to first order resonance mode of the structure. The improved mode ordering can significantly reduce the vibration sensitivity of the device by adopting the hinge-frame mechanism. The frequency difference ratio is introduced to represent the optimization effect of modal characteristic. Furthermore, the influence of the structural parameters of hinge-frame mechanism on frequency difference ratio is clarified through analysis of related factors, which contributes to a more effective design of hinge-frame structure. The designed VRG architecture accomplishes the goal of high-linearity by using combination hinge and variable-area capacitance strategy, in contrast to the conventional approach via variable-separation drive/sense strategy. Finally, finite element method (FEM) simulations are carried out to investigate the stiffness, modal analysis, linearity, and decoupling characteristics of the design. The simulation results are sufficiently in agreement with theoretical calculations. Meanwhile, the hinge-frame mechanism can be widely applied in other existing ring gyroscopes, and the new design provides a path towards ultra-high performance for VRG.

Rational averaged gauss quadrature rules

It is important to be able to estimate the quadrature error in Gauss rules. Several approaches have been developed, including the evaluation of associated Gauss-Kronrod rules (if they exist), or the associated averaged Gauss and generalized averaged Gauss rules. Integrals with certain integrands can be approximated more accurately by rational Gauss rules than by Gauss rules. This paper introduces associated rational averaged Gauss rules and rational generalized averaged Gauss rules, which can be used to estimate the error in rational Gauss rules. Also rational Gauss-Kronrod rules are discussed. Computed examples illustrate the accuracy of the error estimates determined by these quadrature rules.