Quartz Oscillator Rotation Measurement With Thermal Drift Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing the g-sensitivity of quartz oscillators in navigation systems are inadequate, particularly when integrated into circuit boards and systems, as they fail to accurately account for temperature drift and require expensive equipment for dynamic testing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving rotating the quartz oscillator around multiple axes at a constant angular velocity, using a data fitting and estimation model like the Least Square Method to measure frequency deviations and estimate the integral g-sensitivity vector, while accounting for thermal frequency variations and orthogonal harmonic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional static testing methods are used to measure g-sensitivity, then the testing process is simple, but the measurement precision is degraded due to unaccounted temperature drift effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature during rotation testing and using this information to compensate for thermal frequency variations in the g-sensitivity measurements. The system measures temperature drift and feeds this data back into the calculation process to correct the frequency measurements, thereby maintaining measurement precision while using a relatively simple rotational testing approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the testing parameter from static position to dynamic rotation, and introduces temperature as an additional measured parameter. By rotating the oscillator through multiple orientations while monitoring temperature, the system captures both g-sensitivity and thermal effects, allowing for more accurate measurements that account for real operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If dynamic testing with vibration benches is used, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential testing function from complex vibration benches by using simple rotational motion instead. Rather than using elaborate dynamic vibration equipment, the invention isolates the core requirement - applying known accelerations in different orientations - and achieves this through straightforward rotation, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex vibration testing equipment with simple, inexpensive rotational fixtures. The testing method uses basic mechanical rotation rather than costly vibration benches, making high-precision g-sensitivity measurement accessible without requiring expensive specialized equipment.
3Reliability
If quartz oscillators are tested after integration into circuit boards, then the reliability of the test results for actual applications is improved, but the measurement precision is degraded by additional thermal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback to monitor and compensate for thermal effects that arise when testing oscillators on circuit boards. By continuously measuring temperature during the rotation test and incorporating this data into the analysis, the system maintains measurement precision even in the more realistic but thermally complex environment of board-mounted oscillators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the temperature dimension to the measurement process. By measuring frequency, orientation, and temperature simultaneously during rotation, the system captures the full thermal environment of board-mounted oscillators. This multi-dimensional approach allows for accurate g-sensitivity extraction even when thermal effects are present, making the tests more reliable for actual applications.
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 provides a more robust and accurate method for measuring g-sensitivity, overcoming the limitations of conventional static and dynamic testing, and is applicable to quartz oscillators in high-precision systems like navigation receivers.
Implementation Method 1
Quartz oscillators are used in many different devices, systems and applications that require a stable frequency reference
Implementation Method 2
rotating the quartz oscillator successively around each of a plurality of axes constituting a full-rank system
Implementation Method 3
measuring a frequency of the quartz oscillator at a predetermined rate as a function of time
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for estimating the g-sensitivity of a quartz oscillator, which includes rotating the quartz oscillator successively around each of a plurality of axes constituting a full-rank system, measuring a frequency of the quartz oscillator at a predetermined rate as a function of time during rotation, and estimating an integral g-sensitivity vector while the quartz oscillator is rotated. Estimation can be performed utilizing a data fitting and estimation model, e.g., a Least Square Method (LSM) in one example, using the frequency measurements obtained while the quartz oscillator is in rotation around the axes. The method and system are especially useful for measuring g-sensitivity of quartz oscillators that are incorporated in high-precision systems, such as navigation receivers, which operate in environments that are subjected to vibrational effects and other mechanical forces.