An angular rate sensor includes an annular resonator. The resonator includes an annular base material made of a first material, and an annular first low thermal conductor made of a second material having a lower thermal conductivity than the first material, the first low thermal conductor being sandwiched between an annular first region and an annular second region on an inner side of the first region in the base material over substantially an entire circumference of the resonator.

An angular rate sensor includes an annular resonator. The resonator includes an annular base material made of a first material, and an annular first low thermal conductor made of a second material having a lower thermal conductivity than the first material, the first low thermal conductor being sandwiched between an annular first region and an annular second region on an inner side of the first region in the base material over substantially an entire circumference of the resonator.

An angular rate sensor. The sensor includes a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) resonator, configured to oscillate in a first normal mode and in a second normal mode; a frequency reference configured to generate a reference signal; and a first phase control circuit. The first phase control circuit is configured to: measure a first phase difference between: a first phase target, and the difference between: a phase of an oscillation of the first normal mode and a phase of the reference signal. The first phase control circuit is further configured to apply a first phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce the first phase difference. A second phase control circuit is similarly configured to apply a second phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce a corresponding, second phase difference.

An angular rate sensor. The sensor includes a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope (CVG) resonator, configured to oscillate in a first normal mode and in a second normal mode; a frequency reference configured to generate a reference signal; and a first phase control circuit. The first phase control circuit is configured to: measure a first phase difference between: a first phase target, and the difference between: a phase of an oscillation of the first normal mode and a phase of the reference signal. The first phase control circuit is further configured to apply a first phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce the first phase difference. A second phase control circuit is similarly configured to apply a second phase correction signal to the CVG resonator, to reduce a corresponding, second phase difference.

A signal processing system for a sensor. The system comprises a digital signal processing system configured to set a drive signal frequency for the primary drive transducer, a voltage controlled oscillator configured to receive an input indicative of the resonant frequency and to generate a first periodic signal at a first multiple of the resonant frequency, and a first phase locked loop, configured to receive the first periodic signal, and to generate a second periodic signal at a second multiple of the resonant frequency. The first and second periodic signals are used to control the operation of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to sample the primary pick off signal and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a drive signal waveform applied to the primary drive transducer.

A signal processing system for a sensor. The system comprises a digital signal processing system configured to set a drive signal frequency for the primary drive transducer, a voltage controlled oscillator configured to receive an input indicative of the resonant frequency and to generate a first periodic signal at a first multiple of the resonant frequency, and a first phase locked loop, configured to receive the first periodic signal, and to generate a second periodic signal at a second multiple of the resonant frequency. The first and second periodic signals are used to control the operation of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to sample the primary pick off signal and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a drive signal waveform applied to the primary drive transducer.

A micromechanical component for a rotation rate sensor. The micromechanical component includes two rotor masses, mirror symmetrical with respect to a first plane of symmetry aligned perpendicularly to a substrate surface and passing through the center of the two rotor masses, which may be set in rotational vibrating motion about rotational axes aligned perpendicularly to the substrate surface, and four seismic masses, mirror symmetrical with respect to the first plane of symmetry, deflectable in parallel to the first plane of symmetry using the two rotor masses set in their respective rotational vibrating motion. The first rotor mass and a first pair of the four seismic masses connected thereto are mirror symmetrical to the second rotor mass and to a second pair of the four seismic masses connected thereto with respect to a second plane of symmetry aligned perpendicularly to the substrate surface and to the first plane of symmetry.

A micromechanical component for a rotation rate sensor. The micromechanical component includes two rotor masses, mirror symmetrical with respect to a first plane of symmetry aligned perpendicularly to a substrate surface and passing through the center of the two rotor masses, which may be set in rotational vibrating motion about rotational axes aligned perpendicularly to the substrate surface, and four seismic masses, mirror symmetrical with respect to the first plane of symmetry, deflectable in parallel to the first plane of symmetry using the two rotor masses set in their respective rotational vibrating motion. The first rotor mass and a first pair of the four seismic masses connected thereto are mirror symmetrical to the second rotor mass and to a second pair of the four seismic masses connected thereto with respect to a second plane of symmetry aligned perpendicularly to the substrate surface and to the first plane of symmetry.

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a sensor part. The sensor part includes a supporter and a movable part. The movable part includes a movable member located around the supporter in a first plane, and a plurality of structure members located between the supporter and the movable member. The structure members have bent shapes. The structure members connect the movable member with the supporter. The movable member is capable of vibrating. The movable part has the supporter as a center of rotational symmetry. The movable part has a plurality of mirror planes. The mirror planes pass through the center of the rotational symmetry and cross the first plane.

A microelectromechanical resonator includes a resonator member suspended over a surface of a substrate by at least one anchor that is connected to the substrate. The resonator member includes outer and inner frames that are concentrically arranged and mechanically coupled by support structures extending therebetween. Related apparatus and gyroscopes are also discussed.