Accelerometer signal processor comprising variable oscillators and counters
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorGeorge J. Bennett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An accelerometer signal processor is disclosed comprising a sensor for generating A, B, C and D sensor signals in response to a sensor excitation. Variable oscillators convert the sensor signals into oscillating signals, and the oscillating signals up-count and down-count counters. The outputs of the counters represent a linear acceleration along at least two axes, as well as a rotational acceleration.
Claims9
An accelerometer signal processor for use in processing sensor signals generated by an accelerometer, the accelerometer comprises a sensor for generating A, B, C and D sensor signals in response to a sensor excitation, the accelerometer signal processor comprising:
- (a) an A variable oscillator (VO) for generating an A oscillating signal in response to the A sensor signal;
- (b) a B VO for generating a B oscillating signal in response to the B sensor signal;
- (c) a C VO for generating a C oscillating signal in response to the C sensor signal;
- (d) a D VO for generating a D oscillating signal in response to the D sensor signal;
- (e) a first axis counter comprising an up count input responsive to the A oscillating signal and a down count input responsive to the D oscillating signal, the first axis counter for generating on output signal indicative of an acceleration along a first axis;
- (f) a second axis counter comprising an up count input responsive to the B oscillating signal and a down count input responsive to the C oscillating signal, the second axis counter for generating on output signal indicative of an acceleration along a second axis;
- and
- (g) a rotation counter comprising an up count input responsive to the A and D oscillating signals and a down count input responsive to the B and C oscillating signals, the rotation counter for generating an output signal indicative of a rotational acceleration.
A method of processing sensor signals generated by an accelerometer, the accelerometer comprises a sensor for generating A, B, C and D sensor signals in response to a sensor excitation, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) generating an A oscillating signal in response to the A sensor signal;
- (b) generating a B oscillating signal in response to the B sensor signal,
- (c) generating a C oscillating signal in response to the C sensor signal;
- (d) generating a D oscillating signal in response to the D sensor signal;
- (e) up-counting a first-axis counter in response to the A oscillating signal and down-counting the first-axis counter in response to the D oscillating signal, the first axis counter for generating on output signal indicative of a first linear acceleration;
- (f) up-counting a second axis counter in response to the B oscillating signal and down-counting the second axis counter in response to the C oscillating signal, the second axis counter for generating on output signal indicative of a second linear acceleration;
- and
- (g) up-counting a rotation counter in response to the A and D oscillating signals and down-counting the rotational counter in response to the B and C oscillating signals, a rotation counter for generating an output signal indicative of the rotational acceleration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.