MICROMECHANICAL INERTIAL SENSOR HAVING INCREASED PICKOFF RESONANCE DAMPING

摘要

A micromechanical inertial sensor (10) is provided having a reduced pickoff Q, while maintaining a high motor Q. The micromechanical inertial sensor includ es a pair of proof masses (14) and aligned pickoff plates (26). Each pickoff plate is spaced from the respective proof mass by a gap that varies in response to out-of-plane movement of the proof mass. The micromechanical inertial sensor also includes at least one voltage source (28) for providing charge to the pickoff plates. By measuring the movement charge in each electrical circuit that includes a pickoff plate as the gap between the pickoff plate and the respective proof mass varies, a measurement of the rotation of the micromechanical inertial sensor about an input axis may be obtained. The micromechanical inertial sensor further includes resistive elements (30) disposed in series between the voltage source and each pickoff plate to increase the pickoff resonance damping of the micromechanical inertial sensor.