Angular velocity sensor

An angular rate sensor for a vibration body comprising:

• means for detecting a level of vibrations of a vibration body;
• detecting means for detecting a Coriolis' force produced in proportion to an angular rate;
• a current amplifier for amplifying an output signal of said means of detecting a level of vibrations;
• a full-wave rectifier circuit for producing a D.C. voltage by rectifying an output signal of a band-pass filter, wherein an output signal of said current amplifier is input;
• a charge amplifier for inputting and amplifying a signal detected by said detecting means for detecting a Coriolis' force;
• a synchronous detection circuit for detecting an output signal of a band-pass filter, wherein an output signal of said charge amplifier is input;
• a sensor output terminal for outputting an output signal of a low-pass filter, wherein an output signal of said synchronous detection circuit is input;
• a determination circuit for inputting the output signal of said full-wave rectifier circuit and an output signal of said charge amplifier, and for making a determination of abnormality, said determination circuit having an output transistor connected to an abnormality diagnosis terminal, said output transistor turns off if an abnormality is detected which causes a voltage of said abnormality diagnosis terminal to decrease to a level close to a grounding voltage;
• and
• an output clamping circuit activated by an output signal of said determination circuit, if said determination circuit makes a determination of abnormality, for clamping the output signal of said sensor output terminal at a level close to a power supply voltage or a grounding voltage.