Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards a sensor output digitizer. The sensor output digitizer can comprise a multiplexer stage, a multi-stage analog to digital converter, and a digital output combiner. The multiplexer stage can be configured to sequentially select sensor outputs from one or more sensors, resulting in a stream of selected sensor outputs. The multi-stage analog to digital converter can be coupled with the multiplexer stage, and can be configured to convert the stream of selected sensor outputs into a stream of digitized outputs. The digital output combiner can be configured to re-scale and sum intermediate outputs of the multi-stage analog to digital converter to produce a stream of digitized sensor outputs.

Abstract: An algorithm and architecture for sense transfer function estimation injects one or more test signals from a signal generator into a MEMS gyroscope to detect an output signal (e.g., proof mass output sense signal), including an in-phase (e.g., Coriolis) component and a quadrature component. The in-phase and quadrature components are encoded with reference signals to determine phase and/or gain variation and are processed via a variety of components (e.g., matrix rotation, digital gain, tones demodulator, transfer function errors estimation, etc.) to estimate a sense transfer function of the MEMS (e.g., Hs(fd)) and corresponding phase and/or gain offset of Hs(fd). The in-phase and quadrature components are also compensated for phase and/or gain offset by system components.

Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards a sensor signal multiplexer and digitizer with analog notch filter and optimized sample frequency, and corresponding methods of use and manufacture. In some examples, the disclosed technologies can be used to reduce vibration sensitivity of an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The disclosed sensor signal multiplexer can sample sensor inputs on multiple input channels at a first, higher frequency, and integrate samples for each channel in order to generate lower frequency sensor outputs. The lower frequency sensor outputs can be converted to digital form.

Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards a sensor output digitizer. The sensor output digitizer can comprise a multiplexer stage, a multi-stage analog to digital converter, and a digital output combiner. The multiplexer stage can be configured to sequentially select sensor outputs from one or more sensors, resulting in a stream of selected sensor outputs. The multi-stage analog to digital converter can be coupled with the multiplexer stage, and can be configured to convert the stream of selected sensor outputs into a stream of digitized outputs. The digital output combiner can be configured to re-scale and sum intermediate outputs of the multi-stage analog to digital converter to produce a stream of digitized sensor outputs.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer has a proof mass, a sense electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. The sense electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the sense electrode and the proof mass changes in response to a linear acceleration along a sense axis of the accelerometer. The auxiliary electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the auxiliary electrode and proof mass is static in response to the linear acceleration. A sense drive signal is applied at the sense electrode and an auxiliary drive signal is applied at the auxiliary electrode. The sense drive signal and the auxiliary drive signal have different frequencies. An error is identified based on a portion of a signal that is received from the accelerometer and that is responsive to the auxiliary drive signal. Compensation is performed at the accelerometer based on the identified error.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide for a buck-boost circuit that is immune against being stuck in an undesirable mode of operation. The circuit does not require any additional intermediate states other than buck-mode and boost-mode when managing transitions between buck and boost mode. In certain embodiments, a robust and simple buck-boost topology ensures efficient and rapid transitions by operating comparators that are coupled to switching elements of the buck-boost in such a manner that the inductor current can be selectively monitored to detect an inductor current slope during a power transfer phase. Information about the current slope enables a controller to make a decision whether a transition to another state is appropriate.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer has a proof mass, a sense electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. The sense electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the sense electrode and the proof mass changes in response to a linear acceleration along a sense axis of the accelerometer. The auxiliary electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the auxiliary electrode and proof mass is static in response to the linear acceleration. A sense drive signal is applied at the sense electrode and an auxiliary drive signal is applied at the auxiliary electrode. The sense drive signal and the auxiliary drive signal have difference frequencies. A portion of a sensed signal at the sense drive frequency is used to determine linear acceleration while a portion of the sensed signal at the auxiliary drive frequency is used to identify damage within a sense path from the proof mass.

Abstract: An accelerometer has a plurality of proof masses and a plurality of sense electrodes, which collectively form at least two capacitors. A first sense drive signal is applied to a first capacitor and a second sense drive signal is applied to a second capacitor. Both of the sense drive signals have the same sense drive frequency. Capacitance signals are sensed from each of the first capacitor and second capacitor, and a common mode component of the capacitance signals is determined. A capacitor error is identified based on the common mode component.

Abstract: A system and method for making accurate current measurements by determining the differential voltage drop across a resistor in series with the load in the presence of large common mode voltages. A compensating voltage equal in magnitude but 180 degrees out of phase with a common mode voltage is generated and applied to a network of resistors connected to a measurement amplifier, thereby significantly reducing the magnitude of the common mode voltage at the measurement amplifier's inputs. An error correction voltage is generated and applied to the output of the measurement amplifier to compensate for errors in the values of the resistor network.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer has a proof mass, a sense electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. The sense electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the sense electrode and the proof mass changes in response to a linear acceleration along a sense axis of the accelerometer. The auxiliary electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the auxiliary electrode and proof mass is static in response to the linear acceleration. A sense drive signal is applied at the sense electrode and an auxiliary drive signal is applied at the auxiliary electrode. The sense drive signal and the auxiliary drive signal have difference frequencies. A portion of a sensed signal at the sense drive frequency is used to determine linear acceleration while a portion of the sensed signal at the auxiliary drive frequency is used to identify damage within a sense path from the proof mass.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer has a proof mass, a sense electrode, and an auxiliary electrode. The sense electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the sense electrode and the proof mass changes in response to a linear acceleration along a sense axis of the accelerometer. The auxiliary electrode is located relative to the proof mass such that a capacitance formed by the auxiliary electrode and proof mass is static in response to the linear acceleration. A sense drive signal is applied at the sense electrode and an auxiliary drive signal is applied at the auxiliary electrode. The sense drive signal and the auxiliary drive signal have different frequencies. An error is identified based on a portion of a signal that is received from the accelerometer and that is responsive to the auxiliary drive signal. Compensation is performed at the accelerometer based on the identified error.

Abstract: An accelerometer has a plurality of proof masses and a plurality of sense electrodes, which collectively form at least two capacitors. A first sense drive signal is applied to a first capacitor and a second sense drive signal is applied to a second capacitor. Both of the sense drive signals have the same sense drive frequency. Capacitance signals are sensed from each of the first capacitor and second capacitor, and a common mode component of the capacitance signals is determined. A capacitor error is identified based on the common mode component.

Abstract: A system and method for making accurate current measurements by determining the differential voltage drop across a resistor in series with the load in the presence of large common mode voltages. A compensating voltage equal in magnitude but 180 degrees out of phase with a common mode voltage is generated and applied to a network of resistors connected to a measurement amplifier, thereby significantly reducing the magnitude of the common mode voltage at the measurement amplifier's inputs. An error correction voltage is generated and applied to the output of the measurement amplifier to compensate for errors in the values of the resistor network.

Abstract: A system and method for making accurate current measurements by determining the differential voltage drop across a resistor in series with the load in the presence of large common mode voltages. A compensating voltage equal in magnitude but 180 degrees out of phase with a common mode voltage is generated and applied to a network of resistors connected to a measurement amplifier, thereby significantly reducing the magnitude of the common mode voltage at the measurement amplifier's inputs. An error correction voltage is generated and applied to the output of the measurement amplifier to compensate for errors in the values of the resistor network.

Abstract: A system and method for making accurate current measurements by determining the differential voltage drop across a resistor in series with the load in the presence of large common mode voltages. A compensating voltage equal in magnitude but 180 degrees out of phase with a common mode voltage is generated and applied to a network of resistors connected to a measurement amplifier, thereby significantly reducing the magnitude of the common mode voltage at the measurement amplifier's inputs. An error correction voltage is generated and applied to the output of the measurement amplifier to compensate for errors in the values of the resistor network.