Tactical grade micro gyroscope with dual capcitive/optical sensing

This paper introduces a design, fabrication, integration and characterization, of a novel high-grade single axis tuning fork gyroscope (TFG), based on dual detection techniques - capacitive and optic (DDT-CO). This is the first time that the capacitive and optical sensing approaches are used, for the registering of the in-plane drive and in-plane sense mode responses. The two techniques are combined in the same fully functional vacuum packaged device with integrated electronics. We present the results of the rate-table performance study, and the sensor's main figures of merit. We show that the use of dual sensing significantly simplifies the silicon on insulator (SOI) fabrication process, allowing the achievement of tactical grade performance, including angular random walk (ARW) less than 0.15 °/√hr and in-run bias instability (BI) less than 2 °/hr.