Freescale Semiconductor,inc.

Mike A Margules

Mark Edward Schlarmann

Keith L Kraver

Deyou Fang

Heinz Loreck

Hiroto Sahara

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring operation of MEMS accelerometers (). In these embodiments a control loop () having a forward path () is coupled a MEMS transducer (), and a test signal generator () and test signal detector () is provided. The test signal generator () is configured to generate a test signal and apply the test signal to the forward path () of the control loop () during operation of the MEMS accelerometer transducer (). The test signal detector () is configured to receive an output signal from the control loop and detect the effects of the test signal in the output signal. Finally, the test signal detector () is further configured to generate a monitor output indicative of the operation of the sensing device to provide for the continuous monitoring of the operation of the MEMS accelerometer ().

System and method for monitoring an accelerometer

Systems and methods are provided for improved multifunction sensing. In these embodiments a multifunction sensing device () includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) gyroscope () and at least a second sensor (). The MEMS gyroscope () is configured to generate a first clock signal, and the second sensor includes a second clock signal. The multifunction sensing device further includes a reset mechanism (), the reset mechanism () configured to generate a reset signal to set the relative periodic phase alignment of the second clock signal to the first clock signal. Consistently setting the relative periodic phase alignment of the clocks for the other sensor devices () to the clock of the MEMS gyroscope () can improve the performance of the devices by reducing the probability that varying output offsets will occur in the multiple sensing devices.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Mike A Margules