Abstract: An accelerometer sensor includes a casing, a pendulum fixed to the casing, a movable electrode carried by the pendulum and connected to a detection circuit, a first electrode and a second electrode rigidly attached to the casing to form, with the moving electrode, two capacitors of variable capacitance depending on a distance between the electrodes. The accelerometer sensor further includes a control unit that carries out detection operations to measure the variable capacitances of the capacitors. The control unit also performs a control operation of the movable electrode depending on the capacitances measured by applying a logic signal for controlling a switch for selective connection of the fixed electrodes to an excitation circuit delivering a control signal to the fixed electrodes in order to keep the pendulum in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An accelerometer sensor includes a casing, a pendulum fixed to the casing, a movable electrode carried by the pendulum and connected to a detection circuit, a first electrode and a second electrode rigidly attached to the casing to form, with the moving electrode, two capacitors of variable capacitance depending on a distance between the electrodes. The accelerometer sensor further includes a control unit that carries out detection operations to measure the variable capacitances of the capacitors. The control unit also performs a control operation of the movable electrode depending on the capacitances measured by applying a logic signal for controlling a switch for selective connection of the fixed electrodes to an excitation circuit delivering a control signal to the fixed electrodes in order to keep the pendulum in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An accelerometer sensor having electrodes forming capacitors of capacitance that vary as a function of distances between the electrodes, a control unit being arranged to perform an operation of measuring the capacitances and a control operation that comprises selectively: a fine control stage in which a first voltage is applied between one of the stationary electrodes and the movable electrode, while the other stationary electrode is at the same potential as the movable electrode; and an extended control stage in which a second voltage is applied between one of the stationary electrodes and the movable electrode, the other stationary electrode being at the same potential as the movable electrode, and the second voltage being greater in absolute value than the first voltage. A method using such a sensor.

Abstract: An accelerometer sensor having electrodes forming capacitors of capacitance that vary as a function of distances between the electrodes, a control unit being arranged to perform an operation of measuring the capacitances and a control operation that comprises selectively: a fine control stage in which a first voltage is applied between one of the stationary electrodes and the movable electrode, while the other stationary electrode is at the same potential as the movable electrode; and an extended control stage in which a second voltage is applied between one of the stationary electrodes and the movable electrode, the other stationary electrode being at the same potential as the movable electrode, and the second voltage being greater in absolute value than the first voltage. A method using such a sensor.