Systems and methods for a time-based optical pickoff for MEMS sensors are provided. In one embodiment, a method for an integrated waveguide time-based optical-pickoff sensor comprises: launching a light beam generated by a light source into an integrated waveguide optical-pickoff monolithically fabricated within a first substrate, the integrated waveguide optical-pickoff including an optical input port, a coupling port, and an optical output port; and detecting changes in an area of overlap between the coupling port and a moving sensor component separated from the coupling port by a gap by measuring an attenuation of the light beam at the optical output port, wherein the moving sensor component is moving in-plane with respect a surface of the first substrate comprising the coupling port and the coupling port is positioned to detect movement of an edge of the moving sensor component.

A sensor system including a chip arrangement, the chip arrangement including a sensor and an acceleration sensor, and the sensor system including a processor circuit. The processor circuit is configured in such a way that: one or multiple temperature-dependent variables and/or properties of the sensor are ascertained, and an offset of a signal of the acceleration sensor induced by a temperature gradient is corrected with the aid of the one or the multiple ascertained temperature-dependent variables and/or properties of the sensor.

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining the misalignment between a device and a platform (such as for example a vessel or vehicle) using acceleration and/or deceleration of the platform, wherein the device can be strapped or non-strapped to the platform, wherein in case of non-strapped the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform. In case of non-strapped, the device may be moved or tilted to any orientation within the platform and still provide a seamless navigation solution without degrading the performance of this navigation solution. When the device is in a holder in the platform, it is still considered non-strapped, as it may move with respect to the platform. The present method can utilize measurements (readings) from sensors (such as for example, accelerometers, odometer/wheel encoders, gyroscopes, etc.) whether in the presence or in the absence of navigational information updates (such as, for example, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or WiFi positioning).

Fault detection for real-time visual-inertial odometry motion tracking. A fault detection system allows immediate detection of error when the motion of a device cannot be accurately determined. The system includes subdetectors that operate independently and in parallel to a main system on a device to determine if a condition exists which results in a main system error. Each subdetector covers a phase of a six-degrees of freedom (6DOF) estimation. If any of the subdetectors detect an error, a fault is output to the main system to indicate a motion tracking failure.

Fault detection for real-time visual-inertial odometry motion tracking. A fault detection system allows immediate detection of error when the motion of a device cannot be accurately determined. The system includes subdetectors that operate independently and in parallel to a main system on a device to determine if a condition exists which results in a main system error. Each subdetector covers a phase of a six-degrees of freedom (6DOF) estimation. If any of the subdetectors detect an error, a fault is output to the main system to indicate a motion tracking failure.

An inertial force sensor includes: an acceleration detection element; a temperature sensor that detects an ambient temperature of the acceleration detection element; a bridge circuit that processes an output signal from the acceleration detection element; an AD converter that converts an analog signal output from the bridge circuit into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal; a calculation circuit that performs calculation on the output signal from the AD converter; and a storage that stores correction data for correcting a variation in the output signal from the AD converter due to a temperature change. The correction data are coefficients of a formula expressed by a calibration curve that is a quadratic or higher-degree curve, and the storage stores, as the correction data, the coefficients of the calibration curve of each of a plurality of patterns that differ between a predetermined temperature or more and less than the predetermined temperature.

A wheel sensor interface apparatus may include: a wheel sensor interface unit configured to supply power to a wheel sensor of a vehicle, or sense an output current of the wheel sensor and transmit the sensed current to a microprocessor unit of the vehicle; and an over-current detection unit including: a reference current generation unit configured to generate a reference current using a voltage across a resistor through which the output current flows; and a voltage level decision unit configured to decide a voltage level according to the reference current. The over-current detection unit may determine whether the output current is an over-current, according to the voltage level.

A wheel sensor interface apparatus may include: a wheel sensor interface unit configured to supply power to a wheel sensor of a vehicle, or sense an output current of the wheel sensor and transmit the sensed current to a microprocessor unit of the vehicle; and an over-current detection unit including: a reference current generation unit configured to generate a reference current using a voltage across a resistor through which the output current flows; and a voltage level decision unit configured to decide a voltage level according to the reference current. The over-current detection unit may determine whether the output current is an over-current, according to the voltage level.

A sensor is provided including: an element outputting detection signals according to magnitude of physical quantity; a drive circuit outputting a driving signal to the element and receiving a monitor signal from the element; a detection circuit that includes amplifiers amplifying the detection signals and a first synchronous demodulation circuit performing synchronous demodulation on a signal from the amplifier, receives the detection signals, and outputs a physical quantity signal according to the physical quantity; a processing circuit processing a signal from the first synchronous demodulation circuit; a first diagnostic circuit that receives a signal into the processing circuit and a signal from the processing circuit, and outputs a first error signal when abnormalities occur in the processing circuit; and a second diagnostic circuit that outputs a diagnostic signal to the first diagnostic circuit, instead of the signal into the processing circuit or instead of the signal from the processing circuit.

A sensor is provided including: an element outputting detection signals according to magnitude of physical quantity; a drive circuit outputting a driving signal to the element and receiving a monitor signal from the element; a detection circuit that includes amplifiers amplifying the detection signals and a first synchronous demodulation circuit performing synchronous demodulation on a signal from the amplifier, receives the detection signals, and outputs a physical quantity signal according to the physical quantity; a processing circuit processing a signal from the first synchronous demodulation circuit; a first diagnostic circuit that receives a signal into the processing circuit and a signal from the processing circuit, and outputs a first error signal when abnormalities occur in the processing circuit; and a second diagnostic circuit that outputs a diagnostic signal to the first diagnostic circuit, instead of the signal into the processing circuit or instead of the signal from the processing circuit.