Coriolis Vibratory Gyroscope Digital Control System

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) control systems face challenges in accurately measuring rotation due to limitations in quadrature bias compensation and efficient digital control.

Innovation Solution

A CVG control system comprising a plurality of sensor controllers and a gyroscope controller, which generates sinusoidal forcer signals and monitors capacitive pickoff voltages to determine rotation, utilizing field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and variable gain stages for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional CVG control systems use analog control methods, then the system structure is relatively simple, but the measurement precision and resolution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation measurement precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional analog control methods with digital control using FPGAs. The system uses digital forcer signals generated by FPGAs to drive the resonator and digital processing of pickoff voltages to determine rotation, substituting analog electronics with digital signal processing to achieve higher precision while managing complexity through integrated digital architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements variable gain stages that can dynamically adjust the gain of pickoff voltage signals based on operating conditions. This allows the system to optimize measurement precision across different rotation rates and environmental conditions, transforming fixed-parameter analog systems into adaptive digital systems with可调 parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the system continuously monitors pickoff voltage and applies forcer signals simultaneously, then the control response is fast, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol response speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements time-division multiplexing where the system alternates between sensing modes (monitoring pickoff voltage) and forcing modes (applying forcer signals). During each period, the system selectively activates either the forcer electrodes or the sensing circuitry, reducing simultaneous power consumption while maintaining responsive control through periodic measurement and actuation cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous rotation measurement capability through overlapping measurement windows and predictive algorithms. By processing data continuously in smaller intervals and using FPGA-based real-time processing, the system achieves fast response without requiring all components to operate at full power simultaneously, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective control speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses multiple sensor controllers for different functions, then the functionality is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor control functionalityVSAvoidnumber of controllers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs sensor controllers that can operate in multiple modes: forcer mode (generating drive signals), sensing mode (monitoring pickoff voltages), and rebalance mode (applying correction signals). The same hardware controller can be configured to perform different functions by changing the operational mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated controllers for each function and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves high-resolution, efficient, and cost-effective rotation measurement by selectively switching between forcer and sensing modes, enabling accurate determination of rotation in harsh environments.

Implementation Method 1

providing a forcing signal to one or more electrodes to initiate an oscillatory motion of a resonator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

The CVG control system can monitor a pickoff voltage associated with pickoff electrodes (e.g., in a capacitive manner) to monitor the oscillatory motion of the resonator(s)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

initiate an oscillatory motion of a resonator, which can be vibrating tines of a tuning fork gyroscope

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOscillatory motion: Harmonic Oscillator

Data Source

PatentEP3686554B1Coriolis vibratory gyroscope control system
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP
  • EP3686554B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3686554B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3686554B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A control system includes sensor controllers that are each coupled to a respective set of electrodes of a CVG sensor system via respective sensor channels. A first portion of the sensor controllers provides a sinusoidal forcer signal on the respective sensor channel in response to digital clock and feedback signals to provide oscillation of a resonator of the CVG sensor system. A second portion of the sensor controllers monitors a capacitive pickoff voltage associated with the resonator on the respective sensor channel to generate a digital pickoff signal. A gyroscope controller generates the digital feedback signal in response to the digital pickoff signal from the second portion of the sensor controllers to provide the digital feedback signal and the digital clock signal to the first portion of the sensor controllers and determines a rotation about the CVG sensor system based on the digital feedback signal or the digital pickoff signal.