A drive signal is applied to a MEMS gyroscope having several intrinsic resonant modes. Frequency and amplitude of mechanical oscillation in response to the drive signal is sensed. At startup, the drive signal frequency is set to a kicking frequency offset from a resonant frequency corresponding to a desired one of the intrinsic resonant modes. In response to sufficient sensed amplitude of mechanical oscillation at the kicking frequency, a frequency tracking process is engaged to control the frequency for the drive signal to sustain mechanical oscillation at the frequency of the desired one of the plurality of intrinsic resonant modes as the oscillation amplitude increases. When the increasing amplitude of the mechanical oscillation exceeds a threshold, a gain control process is used to exercise gain control over the applied drive signal so as to cause the amplitude of mechanical oscillation to match a further threshold. At that point start-up terminates.

A drive signal is applied to a MEMS gyroscope having several intrinsic resonant modes. Frequency and amplitude of mechanical oscillation in response to the drive signal is sensed. At startup, the drive signal frequency is set to a kicking frequency offset from a resonant frequency corresponding to a desired one of the intrinsic resonant modes. In response to sufficient sensed amplitude of mechanical oscillation at the kicking frequency, a frequency tracking process is engaged to control the frequency for the drive signal to sustain mechanical oscillation at the frequency of the desired one of the plurality of intrinsic resonant modes as the oscillation amplitude increases. When the increasing amplitude of the mechanical oscillation exceeds a threshold, a gain control process is used to exercise gain control over the applied drive signal so as to cause the amplitude of mechanical oscillation to match a further threshold. At that point start-up terminates.

Columnar multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) balanced against undesired linear and angular vibration are described herein. In some embodiments, the columnar MEMS device may comprise at least two multiple-mass columns, each having at least three proof masses and being configured to sense rotation about a respective axis. The motion and mass of the proof masses may be controlled to achieve linear and rotational balancing of the MEMS device. The columnar MEMS device may further comprise one or more modular drive structures disposed alongside each multiple-mass column to facilitate displacement of the proof masses of a respective column. The MEMS devices described herein may be used to sense roll, yaw, and pitch angular rates.

Columnar multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) balanced against undesired linear and angular vibration are described herein. In some embodiments, the columnar MEMS device may comprise at least two multiple-mass columns, each having at least three proof masses and being configured to sense rotation about a respective axis. The motion and mass of the proof masses may be controlled to achieve linear and rotational balancing of the MEMS device. The columnar MEMS device may further comprise one or more modular drive structures disposed alongside each multiple-mass column to facilitate displacement of the proof masses of a respective column. The MEMS devices described herein may be used to sense roll, yaw, and pitch angular rates.

A vibration rectification error correction circuit includes a first correction circuit that obtains a digital value based on a signal to be measured output from a sensor element configured to measure a physical quantity and corrects a vibration rectification error of the digital value by a correction function based on a product of values obtained by biasing the digital value.

A vibration rectification error correction circuit includes a first correction circuit that obtains a digital value based on a signal to be measured output from a sensor element configured to measure a physical quantity and corrects a vibration rectification error of the digital value by a correction function based on a product of values obtained by biasing the digital value.

An inertial sensor includes a substrate, a first inertial sensor element provided on the substrate, a lid bonded to the substrate so as to cover the first inertial sensor element, a first drive signal terminal that is provided outside the lid and is for a drive signal to be applied to the first inertial sensor element, and a first detection signal terminal that is provided outside the lid and is for a detection signal output from the first inertial sensor element, in which, in plan view of the substrate, the first drive signal terminal and the first detection signal terminal are provided with the lid interposed therebetween.

An inertial sensor includes a substrate, a first inertial sensor element provided on the substrate, a lid bonded to the substrate so as to cover the first inertial sensor element, a first drive signal terminal that is provided outside the lid and is for a drive signal to be applied to the first inertial sensor element, and a first detection signal terminal that is provided outside the lid and is for a detection signal output from the first inertial sensor element, in which, in plan view of the substrate, the first drive signal terminal and the first detection signal terminal are provided with the lid interposed therebetween.

A MEMS device may output a signal during operation that may include an in-phase component and a quadrature component. An external signal having a phase that corresponds to the quadrature component may be applied to the MEMS device, such that the MEMS device outputs a signal having a modified in-phase component and a modified quadrature component. A phase error for the MEMS device may be determined based on the modified in-phase component and the modified quadrature component.

A MEMS device may output a signal during operation that may include an in-phase component and a quadrature component. An external signal having a phase that corresponds to the quadrature component may be applied to the MEMS device, such that the MEMS device outputs a signal having a modified in-phase component and a modified quadrature component. A phase error for the MEMS device may be determined based on the modified in-phase component and the modified quadrature component.