Atlantic Inertial Systems, Inc.

Atanas Popov

Stewart McWilliam

A vibrating structure angular rate sensor comprises a substrate; a plurality of supporting structures fixed to the substrate; an annular member flexibly supported by the plurality of supporting structures; a drive system arranged to apply a periodic driving force such that the annular memberoscillates, in use, in a primary mode of vibration at a resonant frequency f, with an amplitude of motion that generates a restoring force from the plurality of supporting structures; and a pick-off system arranged to determine the amplitude of motion of a secondary mode of vibration at a resonant frequency f, in which oscillation of the annular memberis induced by the Coriolis force resulting from an angular rate experienced by the sensor. In use, the restoring force has a non-linear relationship with the amplitude of motion and a number p of supporting structures is selected such that f=f.

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Nottingham, United Kingdom

Atanas Popov