Adaptive circuits and methods for reducing vibration or shock induced errors in inertial sensors

An adaptive circuit for reducing vibration or shock induced errors in an inertial sensor, the inertial sensor including at least one proof mass at least one and sense electrode for sensing rotational motion of the sensor about a rate axis, the adaptive circuit comprising:

• a sense bias voltage source electrically connected to the at least one sense electrode and adapted to produce a charge on a corresponding proof mass of the at least one proof mass based at least in part on the rotational motion of the inertial sensor about the rate axis;
• at least one amplifier electrically connected to the at least one proof mass and adapted to output a rate signal based at least in part on the charge produced on the at least one proof mass;
• a means for detecting and/or anticipating the external vibration or shock on the inertial sensor;
• and
• a dampening resistive element adapted to dampen proof mass motion in response to the external vibration or shock on the inertial sensor, wherein the dampening resistive element is disposed in series between the at least one sense electrode and the sense bias voltage source.

A method of actively reducing vibration or shock induced errors in an inertial sensor operating within an environment, the inertial sensor including at least one proof mass and at least one sense electrode for sensing rotational motion of the sensor about a rate axis, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a sense bias voltage source to the at least one sense electrode and producing a charge on a corresponding proof mass of the at least one proof mass based at least in part on the rotational motion of the inertial sensor about the rate axis;
• connecting an amplifier to the at least one proof mass and outputting a rate signal based at least in part on the charge produced on the at least one proof mass;
• detecting and/or anticipating an external vibration or shock within the environment;
• and
• adjusting the dampening of the at least one proof mass based at least in part on the detected and/or anticipated vibration or shock within the environment, wherein said step of adjusting the dampening of the at least one proof mass includes the steps of:
• selectively switching-in a dampening resistive element in series between the at least one sense electrode and the sense bias voltage source;
• and
• dampening the at least one proof mass in response to the vibration or shock within the environment.