| "> | | | | as missile launch, weapon fire system, rocket |
| WHAT IS AN ACCELEROMETER? | | | | deployment etc. Many a times these accelerometers |
| An accelerometer is an instrument for measuring | | | | are used to protect fragile equipment during cargo |
| acceleration, detecting and measuring vibrations, or for | | | | transportation, and report any strain that might cause a |
| measuring acceleration due to gravity (inclination). | | | | possible damage. Some companies have also |
| Accelerometers can be used to measure vibration on | | | | managed to develop a wireless 3-axis accelerometers |
| vehicles, machines, buildings, process control systems | | | | which are not only low in cost but are also shock |
| and safety installations. They can also be used to | | | | durable. This 3-axis accelerometer has sensors that |
| measure seismic activity, inclination, machine vibration, | | | | are used to protect mobiles and music players. Also |
| dynamic distance and speed with or without the | | | | these sensors are used in some of the devices used |
| influence of gravity. | | | | for traffic navigation and control. |
| HOW DOES AN ACCELEROMETER WORK? | | | | PIEZOELECTRIC SENSOR |
| Used for calculating acceleration and measuring | | | | Depending upon the kind of work, the accelerometers |
| vibrations, the accelerometer is capable of detecting | | | | vary in the way they are prepared and how they |
| even the slightest movements, from the tilting of a | | | | work. Some accelerometers use piezoelectricity, these |
| building to smallest vibration caused by a musical | | | | are man-made. In such accelerometers the |
| instrument. Inside the accelerometer sensor minute | | | | acceleration is calculated based upon the charges |
| structures are present that produces electrical charges | | | | derived from the microscopic crystalline structures |
| if the sensor experiences any movement. | | | | when they are accelerated due to motion. |
| Accelerometers need to be placed on the surface of | | | | MEMS ACCELEROMETER |
| the object in order to determine the vibrations. It is not | | | | Another kind works with the capacitance and the |
| capable of work in isolation or apart from the object it | | | | changes initiated within it as a result of some |
| is required to assess, it must be firmly attached to the | | | | accelerative force. This technology is used from |
| object in order to give precise readings. | | | | automotive industry to agriculture industry and from |
| KINDS OF ACCELEROMETER | | | | NASA to military researches and operations. |
| The two kinds of basic accelerometers are: | | | | STRAIN GAUGE |
| 1. ANALOG ACCELEROMETER | | | | This device is used to measure strain in an object, |
| At times Inputs and output readings also matter | | | | which is detected by a foil strain element. If the object, |
| especially when it comes to determining the kind of | | | | to which the gauge is attached is some how |
| accelerometer that needs to be placed on a certain | | | | deformed that creates electrical charges and is known |
| object. If the output is digital then a digital | | | | as the gauge factor. |
| accelerometer must be placed and vice versa. The | | | | ACCELEROMETER IS USED IN: |
| main feature of this accelerometer is that the output | | | | AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY |
| tends to change when there is even a slight change in | | | | Due to high demand and wide spread use of |
| the input. | | | | accelerometers in the automotive industry and new |
| The most common type of this accelerometer is used | | | | hi-tech technology, these sensors are now light weight |
| in airbags of automobiles, to note the sudden drop in | | | | and are available at low cost and reduced prices. |
| the speed of the vehicle and to trigger the airbag | | | | MICROPHONES |
| release. Even laptops are now being equipped with | | | | Microphones also carry accelerometers. That is how |
| accelerometers in order to protect the hard drive | | | | they are able to detect the minute frequencies. |
| against any physical dangers, caused mainly due to | | | | ROBOTICS |
| accidental drops. | | | | The forces that can cause vibrations which are |
| 2. DIGITAL ACCELEROMETER | | | | detected by the accelerometer can be static, dynamic |
| The digital accelerometer is more sophisticated than | | | | or gravitational. Certain accelerometers are rated G. G |
| the analog. Here the amount of high voltage time is | | | | stands for Gravity. Such accelerometers are used |
| proportional to the acceleration. One of its major | | | | mostly in robotics. They are more sensitive to motion |
| advantages is that it is more stable and produces a | | | | and can be triggered at the slightest changes in |
| direct output signal. Accelerometers are now also | | | | gravitational pulls. |
| used in aerospace and many military applications, such | | | | |