FORCE BALANCED INSTRUMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MITIGATING ERRORS

摘要

A force balanced instrument system and method for mitigating errors is provided. The system and method mitigate errors in measurement readings caused by charge buildup in force balanced instruments that employ charge pulses to generate an electrostatic force to null an inertial proof mass disposed between opposing electrodes. The system and method mitigate charges buildup by applying positive charge pulses alternately to each opposing electrode for a given charge cycle time period followed by negative charge pulses alternately to each opposing electrode for a second given charge cycle time period. The negative charge pulses remove any residual charge on the electrodes caused by the positive charge pulses. As a result the net residual charge left on the electrodes is reduced on the average.