Systems and methods for extracting system parameters from nonlinear periodic signals from sensors

摘要

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for extracting system parameters from nonlinear periodic signals from sensors. A sensor such as an inertial device includes a first structure and a second structure that is springedly coupled to the first structure. The sensor is configured to generate an output voltage based on a current between the first and second structures. Monotonic motion of the second structure relative to the first structure causes a reversal in direction of the current.

主权项

1. An inertial device, comprising:
a fixed element comprising a first plurality of beams that are spaced along a first axis; a first plurality of teeth, adjacent teeth of which are equally spaced along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, each of the first plurality of teeth disposed on a respective beam of the first plurality of beams; a moveable element comprising a second plurality of beams that are spaced along the first axis, the moveable element configured to move relative to the fixed element along the second axis; a second plurality of teeth, adjacent teeth of which are equally spaced along the second axis, each of the second plurality of teeth disposed on a respective beam of the second plurality of beams; a sensor configured to generate an output voltage based on a current between the fixed and moveable elements; comparator circuitry configured to produce an output signal based on detecting the output voltage crossing a threshold; a time-to-digital converter configured to determine time intervals based on the output signal; and signal processing circuitry configured to determine an inertial parameter from the time intervals; wherein monotonic motion of the moveable element relative to the fixed element causes a reversal in direction of the current.