A micromechanical rotational rate sensor system includes a first rotational rate sensor device that can be driven rotationally about a first axis in oscillating fashion for acquiring a first external rate of rotation about a second axis and a second external rate of rotation about a third axis, the first, second, and third axes being perpendicular to one another; and a second rotational rate sensor device, capable of being driven in linearly oscillating fashion along the second axis, for acquiring a third external rate of rotation about the first axis. The first rotational rate sensor device is connected to the second rotational rate sensor device via a drive frame device. The drive frame device has a first drive frame and a second drive frame that are capable of being driven in oscillating fashion by the drive device with opposite phase along the third axis.

A micromechanical rotational rate sensor system includes a first rotational rate sensor device that can be driven rotationally about a first axis in oscillating fashion for acquiring a first external rate of rotation about a second axis and a second external rate of rotation about a third axis, the first, second, and third axes being perpendicular to one another; and a second rotational rate sensor device, capable of being driven in linearly oscillating fashion along the second axis, for acquiring a third external rate of rotation about the first axis. The first rotational rate sensor device is connected to the second rotational rate sensor device via a drive frame device. The drive frame device has a first drive frame and a second drive frame that are capable of being driven in oscillating fashion by the drive device with opposite phase along the third axis.

In some embodiments, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) includes a proof mass, sense electrodes, sense circuitry, and a frequency matching circuitry. The proof mass is configured to move responsive to stimuli. The sense electrodes are configured to generate a signal responsive to the proof mass moving. The sense circuitry is coupled to the sense electrodes. The sense circuitry is configured to receive the generated signal and further configured to process the generated signal. The frequency matching circuitry is configured to apply a DC voltage to the sense electrodes. The DC voltage is configured to change a stiffness of a spring of the proof mass. According to some embodiments, the change in the stiffness of the spring matches a resonance frequency between a sense mode and a drive mode. According to some embodiments, the sense electrodes are a comb structure.

In some embodiments, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) includes a proof mass, sense electrodes, sense circuitry, and a frequency matching circuitry. The proof mass is configured to move responsive to stimuli. The sense electrodes are configured to generate a signal responsive to the proof mass moving. The sense circuitry is coupled to the sense electrodes. The sense circuitry is configured to receive the generated signal and further configured to process the generated signal. The frequency matching circuitry is configured to apply a DC voltage to the sense electrodes. The DC voltage is configured to change a stiffness of a spring of the proof mass. According to some embodiments, the change in the stiffness of the spring matches a resonance frequency between a sense mode and a drive mode. According to some embodiments, the sense electrodes are a comb structure.

An inertial sensor includes a substantially planar, rotationally symmetric proof mass, a capacitive pick-off circuit connected to the proof mass, an electrical drive circuit connected to the four pairs of electrodes. The drive circuit is arranged to apply first in-phase and anti-phase pulse width modulation (PWM) drive signals with a first frequency to the first and third electrode pairs, such that one electrode in each pair is provided with in-phase PWM drive signals and the other electrode in each pair is provided with anti-phase PWM drive signals and to apply second in-phase and anti-phase PWM drive signals with a second frequency, different to the first frequency, to the second and fourth electrode pairs, such that one electrode in each pair is provided with in-phase PWM drive signals and the other electrode in each pair is provided with anti-phase PWM drive signals.

An inertial sensor includes a substantially planar, rotationally symmetric proof mass, a capacitive pick-off circuit connected to the proof mass, an electrical drive circuit connected to the four pairs of electrodes. The drive circuit is arranged to apply first in-phase and anti-phase pulse width modulation (PWM) drive signals with a first frequency to the first and third electrode pairs, such that one electrode in each pair is provided with in-phase PWM drive signals and the other electrode in each pair is provided with anti-phase PWM drive signals and to apply second in-phase and anti-phase PWM drive signals with a second frequency, different to the first frequency, to the second and fourth electrode pairs, such that one electrode in each pair is provided with in-phase PWM drive signals and the other electrode in each pair is provided with anti-phase PWM drive signals.

A rotation rate sensor including a substrate, a drive structure, which is movable with regard to the substrate, a detection structure, and a Coriolis structure, the drive structure, the Coriolis structure, and the detection structure being essentially situated in a layer, in that an additional layer is situated essentially in parallel to the layer above or underneath the layer, a mechanical connection between the Coriolis structure and the drive structure being established with a first spring component, the first spring component being configured as a part of the additional layer, and/or a mechanical connection between the detection structure and the substrate being established with a second spring component, the second spring component being configured as a part of the additional layer.

A rotation rate sensor including a substrate, a drive structure, which is movable with regard to the substrate, a detection structure, and a Coriolis structure, the drive structure, the Coriolis structure, and the detection structure being essentially situated in a layer, in that an additional layer is situated essentially in parallel to the layer above or underneath the layer, a mechanical connection between the Coriolis structure and the drive structure being established with a first spring component, the first spring component being configured as a part of the additional layer, and/or a mechanical connection between the detection structure and the substrate being established with a second spring component, the second spring component being configured as a part of the additional layer.

According to various embodiments, there is provided a gyroscope device including: an outer frame; and four cells arranged within the outer frame, each cell of the four cells including: a proof mass arranged at least substantially in a centre region of the cell; and four electrode frames, each electrode frame of the four electrode frames arranged at a corner region of the cell and coupled to a respective side of the proof mass.

According to various embodiments, there is provided a gyroscope device including: an outer frame; and four cells arranged within the outer frame, each cell of the four cells including: a proof mass arranged at least substantially in a centre region of the cell; and four electrode frames, each electrode frame of the four electrode frames arranged at a corner region of the cell and coupled to a respective side of the proof mass.