Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Hanking Electronics, Ltd.

Demetre Kondylis

Luca Coronato

Luciano Prandi

Carlo Caminada

Manuel Santoro

Gabriele Cazzaniga

Peter R Harper

Hemant D Desai

Gabrielle Cazzaniga

The present invention concerns an MEMS sensor and a method for compensation of a quadrature error on an MEMS sensor, which is intended for detection of movements of a substrate, especially accelerations and/or rotation rates. At least one mass arranged on the substrate and mounted to move relative to it is driven by means of drive electrodes. The mass/es execute a movement deviating from the prescribed movement due to a quadrature error. A deflection of the mass/es occurring due to Coriolis force and quadrature error is detected with detection electrodes. It is proposed according to the invention that a capacitance change be detected as a function of drive movement of the mass/es by means of compensation electrodes. A compensation charge dependent on the quadrature error of the MEMS sensor is generated on the compensation electrodes. For compensation, the distorted or incorrect charge generated by the quadrature error in the detection electrodes is compensated with the compensation charge.

Method and system for quadrature error compensation

The invention relates to sensors, and more particularly, a sensor device having accelerometer and gyroscope integrated into a low cost compact package. The device includes: MEMs wafer; and an ASIC wafer bonded to the MEMs wafer; a wafer-level-package redistribution layer (WLP RDL) formed on a surface of the ASIC wafer; and a ball grid array having a plurality of solder balls that electrically connect the package to a circuit board. The MEMs wafer includes the accelerometer and gyroscope, while the ASIC wafer includes two separate cavities corresponding to the accelerometer and gyroscope, respectively. The ASIC wafer includes electrical circuits/components to process the readout signals received from the accelerometer and gyroscope.

Wafer level micro-electro-mechanical systems package with accelerometer and gyroscope

Disclosed are a MEMS sensor and methods to compensate a quadrature error on the sensor. The sensor detects movements of a substrate, especially accelerations and rotation rates. At least one mass arranged on the substrate and mounted to move relative to it is driven by drive electrodes. The mass executes a movement deviating from the prescribed movement due to a quadrature error. A deflection of the mass occurring due to Coriolis force and quadrature error is detected with detection electrodes. A capacitance change is detected as a function of drive movement of the mass by using compensation electrodes. A compensation charge dependent on the quadrature error of the MEMS sensor is generated on the compensation electrodes. For compensation, the distorted or incorrect charge generated by the quadrature error in the detection electrodes is compensated with the compensation charge.

Growing community of inventors

Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Demetre Kondylis