Parametrically Disciplined Vibratory Gyroscope Resonator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microgyroscopes, particularly vibratory gyroscopes, face challenges in achieving high performance for inertial navigation due to uncontrolled resonator frequency and damping parameters, leading to high drift and noise, and require significant power and computational resources for digital electronics.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of parametric driving to discipline the resonator parameters, using a fixed external frequency reference to modulate the spring constant at twice the resonant frequency, allowing for self-disciplined or digitally disciplined operation of the microgyroscope, which can null damping and frequency variations across all orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital electronics are used to control resonator parameters, then measurement precision can be improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gyroscope uses self-service by allowing the resonator to naturally oscillate at its resonant frequency without requiring external drive signals or complex digital control electronics. The system exploits the inherent resonant properties of the mechanical structure to achieve precise rotation sensing, thereby eliminating the need for continuous power-intensive digital processing and fast state feedback loops
2Measurement precision
If fast state feedback loops are implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex fast state feedback control electronics from the system by utilizing the natural resonant oscillation of the gyroscope structure. The measurement precision is maintained through careful mechanical design and signal processing of the resonant response, rather than through complex active feedback control loops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic feedback control system with a mechanically-based resonant oscillation system. The mechanical resonator naturally provides the oscillation and sensing functions that would otherwise require complex electronic control, substituting mechanical properties for electronic complexity
3Device complexity
If resonator frequency and damping are left uncontrolled, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to high drift and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-tuning the resonator parameters (frequency and damping) during the design and fabrication stage to optimal values. This preliminary configuration allows the system to operate with high precision without requiring complex real-time control, as the resonator is预先 configured to provide the desired performance characteristics
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
This approach results in a microgyroscope with improved performance, reduced noise, and lower power consumption, capable of achieving navigation-grade accuracy with physical noise-limited performance, eliminating the need for fast state feedback loops.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator having a natural oscillation frequency
Implementation Method 2
driving at least a first portion of a plurality of electrostatic electrodes to excite a resonator
Implementation Method 3
symmetric nearly degenerate mode vibratory gyroscope
Data Source
AI summary
Parametrically disciplined operation of a symmetric nearly degenerate mode vibratory gyroscope is disclosed. A parametrically-disciplined inertial wave gyroscope having a natural oscillation frequency in the neighborhood of a sub-harmonic of an external stable clock reference is produced by driving an electrostatic bias electrode at approximately twice this sub-harmonic frequency to achieve disciplined frequency and phase operation of the resonator. A nearly symmetric parametrically-disciplined inertial wave gyroscope that can oscillate in any transverse direction and has more than one bias electrostatic electrode that can be independently driven at twice its oscillation frequency at an amplitude and phase that disciplines its damping to zero in any vibration direction. In addition, operation of a parametrically-disciplined inertial wave gyroscope is taught in which the precession rate of the driven vibration pattern is digitally disciplined to a prescribed non-zero reference value.