Influence of Acoustic Noise on the Dynamic Performance of MEMS Gyroscopes

Abstract

Advances in MEMS technology have resulted in relatively low cost gyroscopes and accelerometers and, correspondingly, inexpensive inertial measurement systems. This has opened up the field of applications for inertial measurement units (IMUs) and they are currently being proposed for use in a wide variety of possible applications, with environmental conditions ranging from mild to harsh. Of particular interest in this study are MEMS gyroscopes, which are based upon vibratory, rather than rotational, designs and are especially susceptible to the effects of acoustic noise, as compared to conventional gyroscopes. This is particularly true for certain applications. For example, in some aerospace environments, noise levels can be greater than 120 dB and extend over a frequency range greater than 20 kHz. Output signals can be overwhelmed by such effects, becoming extremely contaminated and noisy and, can even be completely saturated. So, it is important to develop an understanding of the influence of high levels of noise on MEMS gyroscope performance and to develop methodologies to mitigate such effects. In the present investigation, a series of experimental studies were conducted for a variety of MEMS gyroscope designs. Each unit was exposed to a range of acoustic noise amplitudes and frequencies. The output signals were recorded and analyzed. The results are presented and discussed in detail. Strategies for mitigating such effects were identified and tested. Those results are also discussed in detailed.

Speechless: Analyzing the Threat to Speech Privacy from Smartphone Motion Sensors

“…Motion sensors have been shown prone to acoustic noise particularly at high frequency and power level in [12], [13], [14], which showed that MEMS gyroscopes are susceptible to high power, high frequency noise that contains frequency components in proximity of the resonating frequency of the gyroscope's proof mass. This concept of work was further utilized by Son et al [15] to interfere with the flight control system of a drone using intentional sounds that were produced by a Bluetooth speaker attached to the drones with a sound pressure level of 113dB.…”

“…All these results seem to indicate that direct acoustic vibrations are unable to affect the motion sensors while traveling through air. However, it is possible for other sounds such as high frequency audio signals to affect gyroscope and accelerometer as shown in [12], [13], [14], [15]. The difference lies in the frequencies and power levels of the audio signals used to influence the motion sensors.…”

Taxonomy and Challenges of Out-of-Band Signal Injection Attacks and Defenses

“…However, Bayon et al [36], [49] targeted a more realistic TRNG composed of 50 ROs. frequency can degrade the performance of the sensor [126]- [128]. However, the security effects of intentional sound transmissions were not explored until the 2015 "Rocking Drones" paper by Son et al [10].…”

Blue Note: How Intentional Acoustic Interference Damages Availability and Integrity in Hard Disk Drives and Operating Systems

“…Intentionally altering sensor output using physical signals sources is a topic of recent research. Depending on the structure of a MEMS gyroscope, performance degradation can be induced by acoustic resonance [37], [38], [39], [17]. Moreover, researchers have used the data from gyroscopic sensors as a side channel to extract information [40], [41].…”