Resonant Accelerometer based on Double-Ended Tuning Fork and a Force Amplification Mechanism

Resonant accelerometers are an alternative to amplitude modulated devices due to their higher integration capabilities, since they are encapsulated in vacuum and are stable at low pressures. Vacuum is required for some sensors (i.e., gyroscopes) but amplitude modulated accelerometers tend to be unst...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eurico Esteves Moreira, Burkhard Kuhlmann, João Gaspar, Luis Alexandre Rocha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
Series:Proceedings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/2/13/1030
Description
Summary:Resonant accelerometers are an alternative to amplitude modulated devices due to their higher integration capabilities, since they are encapsulated in vacuum and are stable at low pressures. Vacuum is required for some sensors (i.e., gyroscopes) but amplitude modulated accelerometers tend to be unstable under such conditions and therefore cannot be integrated in the same package. Herewith, a device composed by double-ended tuning fork resonators (DETF) and a force amplification mechanism for sensitivity enhancement is presented. Characterization of the fabricated devices was performed, and the design was successfully validated. A sensitivity close to 80 Hz/g was experimentally measured and the DETF characterization for different driving (AC) and bias voltages (DC) is also presented.
ISSN:2504-3900