Apparatus for Sensor with Configurable Coil Constant and Associated Methods

Abstract

An apparatus includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field, and an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus. The apparatus further includes a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil. A coil constant of the apparatus may be configured to a desired value.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a coil suspended in a magnetic field;   an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus; and   a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil,   wherein a coil constant of the apparatus may be configured to a desired value.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first variable resistor coupled in parallel with the coil, wherein the coil constant of the apparatus may be configured by adjusting a resistance of the first variable resistor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first variable resistor is adjusted during a manufacture process of the apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first variable resistor is adjusted after a manufacture process of the apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second variable resistor coupled in series with the coil, wherein the coil constant of the apparatus may be configured by: adjusting a resistance of the first variable resistor, adjusting a resistance of the second variable resistor, or both. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a variable resistor coupled in series with the coil, wherein the coil constant of the apparatus may be configured by adjusting a resistance of the variable resistor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the variable resistor is adjusted during a manufacture process of the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the variable resistor is adjusted after a manufacture process of the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein configuring the coil constant changes a full-scale range of the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the stimulus comprises acceleration. 
     
     
         11 . A sensor, comprising:
 a magnet, having an associated magnetic field;   a coil suspended by a spring in the magnetic field of the magnet;   an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus applied to the sensor; and   a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil,   wherein a coil constant of the sensor may be configured to have a desired value.   
     
     
         12 . The sensor according to  claim 11 , wherein the stimulus comprises acceleration. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor according to  claim 11 , wherein the coil constant of the sensor may be configured by adjusting a resistance of at least one resistor. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one resistor is coupled in parallel with the coil or in series with the coil. 
     
     
         15 . A method of configuring a sensor that includes a coil suspended in a magnetic field, an optical detector to detect displacement of the coil in response to a stimulus, and a feedback circuit coupled to the optical detector and to the coil, the method comprising configuring a coil constant of the sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein configuring the coil constant of the sensor comprises adjusting a resistance of a resistor coupled in series with the coil. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein configuring the coil constant of the sensor comprises adjusting a resistance of a resistor coupled in parallel with the coil. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein configuring the coil constant of the sensor comprises changing a number of conductor turns of the coil. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein configuring the coil constant of the sensor comprises adjusting, during a manufacture process of the sensor, a resistance of a resistor coupled in series or in parallel with the coil. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein configuring the coil constant of the sensor comprises adjusting, after a manufacture process of the sensor, a resistance of a resistor coupled in series or in parallel with the coil.