Abstract: A micro-electromechanical apparatus may include a substrate, a first frame, a plurality of first anchors, a region and a plurality of pivot elements. The plurality of first anchors and the region is disposed on the substrate. The region is surrounded by the plurality of first anchors. Each of the pivot elements includes a pivot end and a rotary end. Each of the pivot ends is connected to a corresponding first anchor and each of the rotary ends is connected to the first frame such that the first frame is able to rotate with respect to an axis passing the region. The micro-electromechanical apparatus having the pivot elements and the region is adapted for detecting multi-degree physical quantities such as angular velocities in at least two axes, angular velocities and accelerations, angular velocities and Earth's magnetic field.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a movable mass having a central region overlying a sense electrode and an opening in which a suspension structure and spring system are located. The suspension structure includes an anchor coupled to a substrate and rigid links extending from opposing sides of the anchor. The spring system includes a first and second spring heads coupled to each of the rigid links. A first drive spring is coupled to the first spring head and to the movable mass, and a second drive spring is coupled to the second spring head and to the movable mass. The movable mass is resiliently suspended above the surface of the substrate via the suspension structure and the spring system. The spring system enables drive motion of the movable mass in the drive direction and sense motion of the movable mass in a sense direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a substrate; a plurality of mass units which is disposed above the substrate; respective coupling units which couple the respective mass units (a first mass unit and a third mass unit, the third mass unit and a second mass unit, the second mass unit and a fourth mass unit, and a fourth mass unit and the first mass unit) adjacent to each other, among the plurality of mass units; and respective drive units which are disposed above the substrate and are connected to the respective coupling units, and the respective drive units drive the respective mass units (the first mass unit and the third mass unit, the third mass unit and the second mass unit, the second mass unit and the fourth mass unit, and the fourth mass unit and the first mass unit) adjacent to each other through the respective coupling units.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of acquiring rotational information of a gyro sensor includes sensing a predetermined physical quantity which depends upon an amplitude of a vibration in a second direction, the vibration in the second direction being based on Coriolis force that is applied to a movable body which is vibrating in a first direction, calculating rotational information of the movable body based on the sensed predetermined physical quantity, and stopping a vibration in the first direction of the movable body after the predetermined physical quantity is sensed.

Abstract: A MEMS BAW vibratory planar gyroscope having an in-plane electrode configuration for mode-alignment by utilizing alignment electrodes that have a height less than a full height of the gyroscope resonant body. Such alignment electrodes apply a force component that affects modes with both in-plane and out-of-plane movements. The gyroscope includes a resonant body having a height and a perimeter surface and electrodes disposed adjacent the exterior perimeter surface of the resonant body. At least one of the electrodes is an alignment electrode and has a height less than the height of the resonant body.

Abstract: A vibrator of an angular velocity sensor includes detection beam portions extending from a central base portion in a cross shape, and drive beam portions between and connected to two adjacent detection beam portions. Each of the detection beam portions includes a base-end detection beam connected to the central base portion, and a left detection beam and a right detection beam. The left detection beam is connected to one of the drive beam portions that is located on the left of the corresponding one of the detection beam portions, and the right detection beam is connected to one of the drive beam portions that is located on the right of the corresponding one of the detection beam portions. The drive beam portions are driven to vibrate in a direction toward the central base portion and a direction away from the central base portion so that each two facing ones of the drive beam portions are in the same phase and each two adjacent ones of the drive beam portions are in the opposite phases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-axis micro gyroscope having a ring spring. The three-axis micro gyroscope of the present invention comprises: a main spring part; a driving part; an x mass part; an y mass part; a z mass part; and a sensing part. The x mass part moves in the y axis direction depending on the contraction and expansion of the main spring part. The y mass part moves in the x axis direction depending on the contraction and expansion of the main spring part. The z mass part comprises an x vibration mass means and an y vibration mass means. The sensing part senses vibration shaking of the x mass part, the y mass part and the z mass part. The three-axis micro gyroscope of the present invention is capable of effective measurement of rotational movements for all three of the x, y and z axes.

Abstract: This document provides apparatus and methods for cancelation of quadrature error from a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device, such as a MEMS gyroscope. In certain examples, a quadrature correction apparatus can include a drive charge-to-voltage (C2V) converter configured to provide drive information of a proof mass of a MEMS gyroscope, a sense C2V converter configured to provide sense information of the proof mass, a phase-shift module configured to provide phase shift information of the drive information, a drive demodulator configured to receive the drive information and the phase shift information and to provide demodulated drive information, a sense demodulator configured to receive the sense information and the phase shift information and to provide demodulated sense information, and wherein the quadrature correction apparatus is configured to provide corrected sense information using the demodulated drive information and the demodulated sense information.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a platform carried by a frame via elastic connection elements configured to enable rotation of the platform about a first axis. A bearing structure supports the frame through first and second elastic suspension arms configured to enable rotation of the frame about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The first and second elastic suspension arms are anchored to the bearing structure through respective anchorage portions arranged offset with respect to the second axis. A stress sensor formed by first and second sensor elements respectively arranged on the first and second suspension arms is positioned in proximity of the anchorage portions, on a same side of the second axis, in a symmetrical position with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical (MEMS) device assembly is provided. The MEMS device assembly includes a first substrate that has a plurality of electronic devices, a plurality of first bonding regions, and a plurality of second bonding regions. The MEMS device assembly also includes a second substrate that is bonded to the first substrate at the plurality of first bonding regions. A third substrate having a recessed region and a plurality of standoff structures is disposed over the second substrate and bonded to the first substrate at the plurality of second bonding regions. The plurality of first bonding regions provide a conductive path between the first substrate and the second substrate and the plurality of the second bonding regions provide a conductive path between the first substrate and the third substrate.

Abstract: A proximity switch assembly is provided and includes a proximity sensor comprising a first electrode comprising first fingers and a second electrode comprising second fingers, wherein the first and second fingers are interdigitated with a varying density and a variable spacing therebetween along a first direction. The proximity switch assembly also includes control circuitry processing a signal in response to a user activation of the proximity sensor and determining sliding activation of the sensor in the first direction. The switch assembly may determine a tap, stable press and sliding activations.

Abstract: A method for self-compensation of the bias draft of the quadrature signal of a gyroscope. The method is a combination of a variety of sub-methods, which can include quadrature compensation, can be used to achieve the highest possible stability. The calibration methods include a temperature self-sensing algorithm utilizing the drive-mode resonance frequency for calibration of thermal drift in the mechanical parameters of the system, a sideband-ratio approach for direct detection of mechanical drive-mode amplitude, modifying the AC and DC components of the amplitude gain control (AGC) for improved stability, and an approach for compensation of thermal drift in the sense-mode pick off system by utilizing mechanical quadrature. By using some or all of the four methods of calibration above, the highest level of long term in-run bias stability can be achieved.

Abstract: A multiaxial rotation rate sensor for detecting rotation rates on three mutually perpendicular rotation axes.

Abstract: Embodiments related to a capacitive proximity sensor with a variable spacing electrode structure, which is suited to a non-destructive testing operation, such as the detection of dielectric properties of the polymer materials with a thickness decreases gradually structure. The designed sensor includes a driving electrode, a sensing electrode, a substrate, a guarding electrode and a lead connector. The driving and sensing electrodes include several interdigitated fingers, which are arranged alternately in sequence, based on the characteristic of the thickness decreases gradually structure of the MUT, the width of the electrodes and spacing between two adjacent electrodes in each unit are optimized individually. Namely, under the condition of ensuring penetration depth, the electrode width is made as large as possible to achieve maximum signal strength and detection sensitivity.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device includes capacitive elements for detecting at least two inertial channels. At least one of the inertial channels comprises at least two self-test tones with distinctive fundamental frequencies. Inertial signals in the at least two inertial channels are caused by change of capacitance in the capacitive elements due to movements of rotor masses. Self-test tones are fed into at least one capacitive element under control of a self-test control module and the at least two inertial channels are temporally multiplexed to allow feeding of the self-test tones during normal operation of the capacitive sensor device. Signals in the inertial channels are processed for extracting self-test signals corresponding to the self-test tones, and the self-test signals are analyzed for self-test purposes. Alarm is triggered if multiple consecutive samples of predefined set of self-test signals indicate error with same polarity.

Abstract: A panel of an input terminal that includes a base substrate having a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposing each other; a piezoelectric film having a third principal surface and a fourth principal surface opposing each other and made of a uniaxially stretched polylactic acid; and rigid bodies disposed at end portions of the first principal surface and the second principal surface of the base substrate so as to oppose each other across the base substrate and partially prevent a deformation caused by a twist of the base substrate. First displacement detection electrodes are formed on the first principal surface of the piezoelectric film and divide the first principal surface into four. Second displacement detection electrodes are formed on the second principal surface of the piezoelectric film and oppose the first displacement detection electrodes on the first principal surface.

Abstract: There is provided a driving circuit for driving a capacitive load including: a modulation portion which generates a modulation signal pulse-modulated from a source signal; a gate driver which generates an amplification control signal based on the modulation signal; a transistor which generates an amplification modulation signal amplified from the modulation signal based on the amplification control signal; a low pass filter which demodulates the amplification modulation signal and generates a driving signal; a feedback circuit which sends back the driving signal to the modulation portion; a boosting circuit which supplies a voltage which has been boosted.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component including a substrate and a cap connected to the substrate and together with the substrate enclosing a first cavity, a first pressure prevailing and a first gas mixture with a first chemical composition being enclosed in the first cavity. An access opening, connecting the first cavity to surroundings of the micromechanical component, is formed in the substrate or the cap. The first pressure and/or the first chemical composition is adjusted in the first cavity. The access opening is sealed by introducing energy and heat into an absorbing part of the substrate or cap with the aid of a laser. A recess is formed in a surface of the substrate or of the cap facing away from the first cavity in the area of the access opening for accommodating a material area of the substrate or the cap converted into a liquid aggregate state.

Abstract: A gyro element as a resonator element includes a drive resonating arm as a drive portion that is driven by application of a voltage, and a detection resonating arm as a detection portion in which charge is generated in response to a Coriolis force generated in the drive resonating arm. An amount of charge detected in the detection resonating arm in a state where the Coriolis force is not generated is greater than 0% and equal to or less than 0.1% of an amount of charge generated in the drive resonating arm when driving the drive resonating arm.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention allow for increased shock robustness in gyroscopes. In certain embodiments, immunity against undesired forces that corrupt signal output is provided by a chessboard-pattern architecture of proof masses that provides a second layer of differential signals not present in existing designs. Masses are aligned parallel to each other in a two-by-two configuration with two orthogonal symmetry axes. The masses are driven to oscillate in such a way that each mass moves anti-parallel to an adjacent proof mass. In some embodiments of the invention, a mechanical joint system interconnects proof masses to suppress displacements due to mechanical disturbances, while permitting displacements due to Coriolis forces to prevented erroneous sensor signals.

Abstract: A stacked semiconductor structure includes a first substrate. A multilayer interconnect is disposed over the first substrate. Metal sections are disposed over the multilayer interconnect. First bonding features are over the metal sections. A second substrate has a front surface. A cavity extends from the front surface into a depth D in the second substrate. A movable structure is disposed over the front surface of the second substrate and suspending over the cavity. The movable structure includes a dielectric membrane, metal units over the dielectric membrane and a cap dielectric layer over the metal units. Second bonding features are over the cap dielectric layer and bonded to the first bonding features. The second bonding features extend through the cap dielectric layer and electrically coupled to the metal units.

Abstract: A gyro sensor includes a substrate, an oscillation member, fixed driving electrodes and a movable driving electrode that oscillate the oscillation member, fixed detection electrodes and a movable detection electrode that detect a signal that varies in accordance with oscillation by Coriolis' force of the oscillation member, a bias voltage application unit that applies a bias voltage to the oscillation member, and a storage unit, and the bias voltage application unit sets a value of the bias voltage based on information stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: Embodiments for modifying a spring mass configuration are disclosed that minimize the effects of unwanted nonlinear motion on a MEMS sensor. The modifications include any or any combination of providing a rigid element between rotating structures of the spring mass configuration, tuning a spring system between the rotating structures and coupling an electrical cancellation system to the rotating structures. In so doing unwanted nonlinear motion such as unwanted 2nd harmonic motion is minimized.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor element is formed into a plane-shape which extends along an XY plane, and is provided with a driving portion which vibrates in a Z-axis direction, a detecting portion which vibrates in an X-axis direction due to Coriolis effect acting on the driving portion, a beam portion which connects the driving portion and the detecting portion, a fixing portion, and a beam portion which connects the detecting portion and the fixing portion, in which a spring constant of the beam portion in the Z-axis direction is smaller than a spring constant of the beam portion in the Z-axis direction, and a spring constant of the beam portion in the Z-axis direction is greater than a spring constant of the beam portion in the X-axis direction.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor element of the invention is formed into a plane-shape along an XY plane, and is provided with two driving portions which vibrate in a Z-axis direction, two detecting portions, four beam portions which connect one driving portion and one detecting portion, four beam portions which connect the other detecting portion and the other driving portion, and a coupling portion of which one end is connected to a portion in one of the driving portion and the other end is connected to a portion in the other diving portion in which the each of the deriving portions includes a beam portion which is connected to the end portion of the coupling portion and is deformable so as to reduce a change of a posture of each of the driving portions with respect to an XY plane.

Abstract: A physical quantity sensor element is provided with a detecting portion, a driving portion, a beam portion which connects a detecting portion and the driving portion to each other, and in which the beam portion includes a branched portion. The beam portion includes two mass portion side beam portions which extend from two position of the driving portion, which are different from each other, and two supporting portion side beam portions which extend from two positions of the detecting portion, which are different from each other, and in which both end portions on the detecting portion side of two mass portion side beam portions are connected to each other, and both end portions on the driving portion side of two supporting portion side beam portions are connected to each other.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inertial force detection device that can more accurately detect faults in a temperature sensor. Provided is an inertial force detection device configured so that in a state where an oscillating body is made to oscillate in a first direction, the amount of displacement when the oscillating body is displaced in a second direction due to the generation of angular velocity is detected as angular velocity, wherein the inertial force detection device has a means for performing control so that the oscillating body enters a state of resonance in the first direction, a temperature detection means for detecting temperature, and a means for detecting faults in the temperature detection means, and outputs a plurality of signals, which indicate the fault detection results of the three means, continuously from a single signal wire.

Abstract: A rotation rate sensor includes a substrate having a main extension plane and a Coriolis element, in which the rotation rate sensor is configured so that the Coriolis element is excitable with the aid of an excitation arrangement to carry out an excitation oscillation along a first direction and in parallel to the main extension plane, the rotation rate sensor including a compensation element for exerting a compensation force, the compensation force having a non-linear dependence on the excitation oscillation.

Abstract: A vibration angular velocity sensor includes a substrate and a vibrator. The vibrator includes support members, linear drive beams, and a plurality of weight portions connected by the drive beams. The vibrator vibrates the plurality of weight portions by bending of the drive beams. The vibrator is fixed to the substrate through the support members at fixed points of the drive beam. A spring property of the support members is smaller than a spring property of the drive beams.

Abstract: A micromechanical rotation rate sensor includes: a substrate having a main plane of extension; a first Coriolis element; a second Coriolis element; a drive device for deflecting the first and second Coriolis elements from a neutral position; and a detection device. The first Coriolis element, with regard to a first axis extending in parallel to the main plane of extension, has a mass-symmetrical design with respect to the second Coriolis element. The first and second Coriolis elements have a common main plane of extension, and in the neutral position the shared main plane of extension extends in parallel to the main plane of extension of the substrate. The first and second Coriolis elements each have a mass-symmetrical design with respect to a second axis extending perpendicularly with respect to the first axis. The first and second Coriolis elements are drivable by the drive device.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope structure, and a method for manufacturing a microelectromechanical gyroscope structure, comprising a seismic mass and a spring structure suspending the seismic mass to a body element with a suspension structure. The spring structure allows a primary oscillation motion about a primary axis that is aligned with the plane of the seismic mass, and a secondary oscillation motion where at least part of the seismic mass moves in a second direction, perpendicular to the direction of the primary oscillation motion. The spring structure is attached to the seismic mass at both sides of the suspension structure and said spring structure is in torsional motion about the primary axis that is common with the primary oscillation motion. The structure of the gyroscope enables mechanical compensation of a quadrature error of the seismic mass by etching a compensation groove on the top face of the seismic mass.

Abstract: An angular velocity sensor includes a mass body; a first frame provided outside of the mass body; a first flexible part connecting the mass body and the first frame to each other; a second flexible part connecting the mass body and the first frame to each other; a second frame provided outside of the first frame; a third flexible part connecting the first frame and the second frame to each other; and a fourth flexible part connecting the first frame and the second frame to each other, wherein the mass body is fixed to the first frame by the second flexible part so as to be rotation-displaceable and translation-displaceable, and the first frame is connected to the second frame by the fourth flexible part so as to be rotation-displaceable.

Abstract: A gyro sensor includes a substrate, and a first function element, a second function element and a third function element which are arranged above the substrate. With respect to function elements next to each other of the first function element, the second function element and the third function element, the direction of vibration of a vibrating body of one function element is different from the direction of displacement of a movable body of the other function element, and the direction of displacement of a movable body of the one function element is different from the direction of vibration of a vibrating body of the other function element.

Abstract: A system and method for electrostatic carouseling for inertial sensor gyrocompassing is disclosed. For performing such electrostatic carouseling for inertial sensor gyrocompassing, a three-rotational degree of freedom spring-mass system is provided that includes a proof mass suspended by a plurality of support springs and having three rotational degrees of freedom, a plurality of driving electrodes, and a controller operably connected to the plurality of driving electrodes. The control applies an excitation voltage to the driving electrodes to generate an electrostatic force, with the controller selectively applying the excitation voltage to the plurality of driving electrodes to generate an electrostatic force that varies an orientation of a gyroscope sensitivity axis for carouseling of the three-rotational degree of freedom spring-mass system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a controller (200) for controlling a rotation rate sensor, having a first control circuit (202) and a second control circuit (204). The first control circuit has a first control unit (210) for controlling an oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along a first direction, a first digital-to-analog converter (240) for converting a first digital control signal (215) output by the first control unit (210) into a first analog signal (245) with which the oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along the first direction is controlled, and a first analog-to-digital converter (250) for converting a first analog measurement signal (235) which describes the oscillation of the rotation rate sensor along the first direction into a first digital read-out signal (255) which is supplied to the first control unit (210).

Abstract: A physical quantity detecting device includes a vibrating element and a charge amplifier. The vibrating element includes a first detection electrode, a second detection electrode, a third detection electrode, and a fourth detection electrode. The first and fourth detection electrodes have the same electrical polarity, the second and third detection electrodes have the same electrical polarity, and the first and second detection electrodes have opposite electrical polarities. The first and fourth detection electrodes are connected to the charge amplifier, and the second and third detection electrodes are connected to the charge amplifier.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope includes: a substrate; a stator sensing structure fixed to the substrate; a first mass elastically constrained to the substrate and movable with respect to the substrate in a first direction; a second mass elastically constrained to the first mass and movable with respect to the first mass in a second direction; and a third mass elastically constrained to the second mass and to the substrate and capacitively coupled to the stator sensing structure, the third mass being movable with respect to the substrate in the second direction and with respect to the second mass in the first direction.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the angular rate sensor comprises a substrate and a rotating structure anchored to the substrate. The angular rate sensor also includes a drive mass anchored to the substrate and an element coupling the drive mass and the rotating structure. The angular rate sensor further includes an actuator for driving the drive mass into oscillation along a first axis in plane to the substrate and for driving the rotating structure into rotational oscillation around a second axis normal to the substrate; a first transducer to sense the motion of the rotating structure in response to a Coriolis force in a sense mode; and a second transducer to sense the motion of the sensor during a drive mode. In a second aspect the angular rate sensor comprises a substrate and two shear masses which are parallel to the substrate and anchored to the substrate via flexible elements.

Abstract: A rotation rate sensor includes a substrate having a main extension plane and multiple seismic masses, in which for each seismic mass the following applies: the seismic mass is drivable at a drive oscillation, which occurs along a drive direction situated parallel to the main extension plane, the seismic mass is deflectable along two different deflection directions, each direction being perpendicular to the drive direction, the rotation rate sensor being configured to generate detection signals as a function of detected deflections of the seismic masses, one detection signal of the detection signals being associated with each deflection direction of the seismic masses, the rotation rate sensor being configured so that a linear, rotational and centrifugal acceleration of the rotation rate sensor are compensated with respect to at least one rotation axis of the rotation rate sensor through compensation in each case of two corresponding detection signals of the detection signals.

Abstract: There is provided a functional element capable of preventing an oblique vibration due to a vibration leakage phenomenon from propagating to degrade the detection accuracy. A gyro element as the functional element includes a support body, a detection section, a drive coupling section having a first part and a second part, and a mass section connected to the drive coupling section, and connected to the support body via the drive coupling section, and the mass section performs the drive vibration in a direction along a third axis parallel to a normal line of a plane including the first axis and the second axis perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: There is provided an angular velocity sensor including first and second mass bodies provided within a first frame, a first flexible connector system connecting the first and second mass bodies and the first frame and that includes at least one sensor to detect displacements of the first and second mass bodies, a second flexible connector system connecting the first frame to a second frame provided separate from the first frame and that includes a driver to drive movement of the first frame relative to the second frame, so angular velocities can be measured based on the first and second mass bodies being enabled to rotate in a first axis direction and translated in a second axis direction, and based on the first frame being flexibly connected to the second frame so that a rotation displacement of the first frame is made in a third axis direction.

Abstract: An angular velocity detection device includes an outer frame including fixed portions, outer beam portions connected to the fixed portions, a sensing part surrounded by the outer frame with first slit therebetween, and a joint connecting the outer frame and the sensing part. The sensing part includes an inner beam portion, a flexible portion, and a detector. The inner beam portion has a hollow region inside and is square-shaped when viewed from above. The flexible portion is formed in the hollow region of the inner beam portion, and is connected to the inner edge of the inner beam portion. The detector is disposed in the flexible portion. The first slit is formed to surround the sensing part excluding the joint.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical gyroscope structure for detecting angular motion about an axis of angular motion. A drive element is suspended for one-dimensional motion in a direction of a drive axis, and a sense body carries one or more sense rotor electrodes and is coupled to the drive element with a first directional spring structure that forces the sense body to move with the drive element and has a preferred direction of motion in a direction of a sense axis. The drive element includes an actuation body and a drive frame wherein the first spring structure couples the sense body directionally to the drive frame, and a second directional spring structure that couples the drive frame to the actuation body and has a preferred direction of motion in the direction of the sense axis.

Abstract: In some implementations, a control system for a resonating element comprises: a resonating element being driven by an oscillating drive signal and configured to generate a sense signal proportional to an amplitude of motion; a phase comparator coupled to the resonating element and to an oscillating drive signal, the phase comparator configured to compare the sense signal and the oscillating drive signal and to generate an error signal proportional to the phase difference; an oscillator coupled to the phase comparator and configured for generating the oscillating drive signal, the oscillator configured to receive the error signal and to adjust a phase of the oscillating signal based on the error signal; and an automatic gain control coupled to the resonating element and the oscillator, the automatic gain control configured to adjust the gain of the oscillating drive signal based on the signal generated by the resonating element.

Abstract: A rotation-rate sensor having a substrate with main extension plane, for detecting a rotation rate, extending in a direction parallel/orthogonal to the main plane; the sensor including a primary/secondary pair of seismic masses; the primary pair having first/second primary masses; the secondary pair having first/second secondary masses; the first/second primary masses being movable relative to the substrate along a primary deflection direction extending parallel to the main plane; the first/second secondary masses being movable relative to the substrate along a secondary deflection direction extending parallel to the main plane; the first/second primary masses and the first/second primary masses being movable antiparallel or parallel to one another corresponding to the deflection direction, essentially extending orthogonally to the secondary deflection direction; and the primary pair and/or secondary pair being drivable so that, based on sensor rotation, the Coriolis force leads to deflection of the first/sec

Abstract: A capacitive physical quantity sensor includes a first substrate, a movable electrode, a fixed electrode, and a second substrate. An auxiliary electrode is disposed on a portion of the second substrate to face the movable electrode and the auxiliary electrode has a facing area that faces the movable electrode. The facing area in a case where the movable electrode is displaced in one direction is different from the facing area in a case where the movable electrode is displaced in an opposite direction opposite to the one direction. The physical quantity is detected based on a capacitance, which is generated corresponding to the interval between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, and a capacitance, which is generated corresponding to an interval between the facing area of the movable electrode and the auxiliary electrode.

Abstract: An oscillator has a first axis and a second axis as two axes perpendicular to each other and a third axis perpendicular to a plane containing the first axis and the second axis and includes a mass part including a support and a first displacement portion and a second displacement portion that are connected rotatably around the first axis to the support via beams and extend along the direction of the second axis. The first displacement portion is provided on one side of the mass part and the second displacement portion is provided on the other side of the mass part, and free ends of the first displacement portion and the second displacement portion face each other and are connected to each other via a connection portion.

Abstract: There is provided a functional element capable of preventing an oblique vibration due to a vibration leakage phenomenon from propagating to degrade the detection accuracy. A gyro element as the functional element includes a support body, a detection section, a drive coupling section having a first part and a second part, and a mass section connected to the drive coupling section, and connected to the support body via the drive coupling section, and the mass section performs the drive vibration in a direction along a third axis parallel to a normal line of a plane including the first axis and the second axis perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A device for detecting an acceleration in one direction and a speed of rotation along one direction, including a support and two structures mechanically coupled to each other in opposite phase and suspended relative to the support, each of the structures including: an excitation mass; an excitation mechanism configured to move the excitation mass in a given direction; an inertial mass suspended to the excitation mass; a detector connected to the inertial mass to be displaced by same, and the detector connected to the support; a mechanism for detecting displacement of the inertial mass; and a controller controlling the excitation mechanism and processing signals delivered by the detecting mechanism.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer (100, 700) is adapted to use lateral axis vibration to generate non-planar oscillations in a pair of teeter-totter sense mass structures (120/140, 720/730) in response to rotational movement of the transducer about the rotation axis (170, 770) with sense electrodes connected to add pickups (e.g., 102/107, 802/807) diagonally from the pair of sense mass structures to cancel out signals associated with rotation vibration.