Theoretical and Experimental Study of z-axis Acceleration Detection of the Micro Thermal Convective Accelerometer

Xiaoyi Wang, Wei Xu, Huahuang Luo, Xu Zhao, Yi Kuen Lee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

For the first time, we conduct theoretical and experimental analysis on the z-axis (out-of-plane direction) acceleration detection of the micro thermal convective accelerometer (MTCA). Instead of using the complex assembling method to make an out-of-plane detection structure, an indirect way to measure the z-axis acceleration is proposed. The mechanism is proposed with the evidence that the sum of the upstream and downstream detectors' temperature keeps the same under in-plane acceleration, while their differential output keeps constant with the out-of-plane (z-axis) acceleration. By means of monitoring the variation of temperature of in-plane detectors under out-of-plane acceleration, the z-axis acceleration could be indirectly sensed. Theoretically, the coupling error on z-axis induced by x-axis is quite small (less than 1%). Through this method, it could be easy to convert a single-axis (X) MTCA to a two-axis (X-Z) MTCA, which is also promising to improve the two-axis (X-Y) MTCA to a tri-axis (X-Y-Z) accelerometer. In addition, an MTCA is fabricated based on a CMOS compatible fabrication method and demonstrate the proposed detection mechanism with high sensitivity for both x-axis (1211μV/g) and z-axis (402μV/g).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 IEEE Sensors, SENSORS 2019 - Conference Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781728116341
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event18th IEEE Sensors, SENSORS 2019 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 27 Oct 201930 Oct 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of IEEE Sensors
Volume2019-October
ISSN (Print)1930-0395
ISSN (Electronic)2168-9229

Conference

Conference18th IEEE Sensors, SENSORS 2019
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period27/10/1930/10/19

Keywords

  • Micro thermal convective accelerometer
  • coupling effect
  • theoretical model
  • z-axis acceleration detection

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