Yaw Rate Sensor Quadrature Loop Self-Test Readout Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional yaw rate sensors fail to effectively detect and test the entire quadrature control loop during functional testing, leading to undetected sections and potential crosstalk between test and useful signals.
Innovation Solution
Placing the readout location for the response signal between the feed location of the test signal and the actuator for the movable mass structure's deflection, using different actuators for test signals, and employing a sinusoidal test signal with a frequency above the quadrature control loop's bandwidth to ensure all sections of the loop are checked and minimize crosstalk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the readout location is placed after the actuator in the processing direction, then the functional testing can be simpler, but sections of the quadrature control loop between the feed location and readout location are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional readout location placement by positioning it before the actuator in the processing direction rather than after. This inversion allows the test signal to traverse the entire quadrature control loop including the actuator section, enabling complete loop detection while maintaining testing simplicity.
2Device complexity
If the same actuators are used for both quadrature compensation and test signal application, then the device structure is simpler, but crosstalk between test and useful signals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuator system into separate components: one actuator dedicated to quadrature compensation and another actuator dedicated to applying test signals. This segmentation eliminates crosstalk between test and useful signals while maintaining overall structural organization through functional separation.
3Ease of operation
If a test signal frequency within the quadrature control loop bandwidth is used, then the testing is more practical, but crosstalk between test signal and useful signal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the test signal to be outside the quadrature control loop bandwidth. This parameter change effectively separates the test signal spectrum from the useful signal spectrum, eliminating crosstalk while preserving testing practicality through appropriate frequency selection.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the test signal frequency is high, then crosstalk with useful signal is reduced, but the accuracy of functional testing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the test signal frequency parameter by selecting a value outside the quadrature control loop bandwidth but not excessively high. This balanced parameter selection reduces crosstalk through spectral separation while maintaining sufficient signal strength and system response for accurate functional testing.
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 allows for comprehensive testing of the quadrature control loop, reducing offset errors and crosstalk, improving accuracy, and enabling continuous functional testing without interfering with the useful signal.
Implementation Method 1
each yaw rate sensor including a movable mass structure, a drive component, and an analysis component, the drive component being suitable for setting and/or keeping the movable mass structure in motion
Data Source
AI summary
A yaw rate sensor (10) includes a movable mass structure (12) and a drive component (13) which is suitable for setting the movable mass structure (12) in motion (14), and an analysis component (15) which is suitable for detecting a response (40) of the movable mass structure (12) to a yaw rate (Ω). A method for functional testing of a yaw rate sensor (10) includes the following steps: driving a movable mass structure (12), feeding a test signal (42) into a quadrature control loop (44) at a feed point (48) of the quadrature control loop (44), feeding back a deflection (40) of the movable mass structure (12), detecting a measure of the feedback of the movable mass structure (12), and reading out the response signal (47) from the quadrature control loop (44). In the yaw rate sensor (10) and also in the method, the readout of the response signal (47) in relation to a processing direction (45) of the test signal (42) is provided between a feed point (48) for a test signal (42) and an actuator (38) for feeding back a deflection (40) of the movable mass structure (12).