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A depiction of an accelerometer designed at Sandia National Laboratories.

An accelerometer is a device for measuring specific external force (force over mass which has the units of acceleration) on the accelerometer. For a freely moving object, the output of the accelerometer is off from the true accleration by a 1 g factor in the local vertical axis and it must be added for the inertial navigation solution by a model of the earth gravitation acceleration. In the other non-vertical axis the accelerometer measures acceleration and the equivalent specific external force. Counterintuitively, a sensor at rest on the earth's surface will indicate the acceleration of gravity, 1 g, because it is reading the ground reaction force and zero during free fall in a vaccuum. The accelerometer can not measure internal forces such as gravity directly. If aerodynamic resistance is present during the free-fall it will record the acceleration due the air drag. Single- and multi-axis models are available to detect magnitude and direction of the acceleration. Accelerometers can be used to sense inclination, vibration, and shock. They may be part of an Inertial Navigation System and are increasingly present in portable electronic devices, where they may be used to sense user input through motion. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links Accel. ... Image File history File links Accel. ... The term g force or gee force refers to the symbol g, the force of acceleration due to gravity at the earths surface. ... An inertial navigation system measures the position and altitude of a vehicle by measuring the accelerations and rotations applied to the systems inertial frame. ...

Structure and use

Accelerometers are perhaps the simplest micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device possible, sometimes consisting of little more than a suspended cantilever beam or proof mass (also known as seismic mass) with some type of deflection sensing and circuitry. As reaction force on the acclerometer causes it to acclerate, the beam or the proof weights deflect. In some system the defelction is measured as an analog measurement. Some intead take a binary approach. Once the beam or mass has deflected sufficiently to reach a deflecton point, an electrical pulse is generated to restore the beam or mass to the neutral mass. this pulse is also sent the outside world to provide a delta speed change over the update time perios. Other methods of building MEMS based accelerometers are available. In some methods a small heater at the bottom of a very small domes heats the air inside the dome to cause it to rise. Thermocouple on the dome determine where the heating error reaches the dome and the deflection off of dead center is a measure of the acceleration or specific force applied to the object. MEMS Accelerometers are available in a wide variety of ranges up to thousands of g's. Single-axis, dual-axis, and three-axis models are available. A mite less than 1 mm on a MEMS device. ... A schematic image of two cantilevers. ... The term g force or gee force refers to the symbol g, the force of acceleration due to gravity at the earths surface. ...

Accelerometers can be used to measure vibration on cars, machines, buildings, process control systems and safety installations. They can also be used to measure seismic activity, inclination, machine vibration, dynamic distance and speed with or without the influence of gravity. Applications for accelerometers that measure gravity, wherein an accelerometer is specifically configured for use in gravimetry, are called gravimeters. Gravimetry is the measurement of a gravitational field. ... An accelerometer or gravimeter is a device for measuring acceleration and the effects of gravity. ...

Accelerometers are being incorporated into more and more personal electronic devices such as media players and gaming devices, like the Wii Remote, which has multiple accelerometers to provide another element of gameplay. In particular, more and more smartphones (such as Apple's iPhone and the Nokia N95) are incorporating accelerometers for step counters, user interface control, and switching between portrait and landscape modes. Another Apple product featuring an accelerometer is the iPod Touch. The Wii Remote, sometimes nicknamed Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendos Wii console. ... A smartphone is generally considered any handheld device that integrates personal information management and mobile phone capabilities in the same device. ... For the Internet appliance line, see Linksys iPhone. ... The Nokia N95 (N95-1, internally known as RM-159) is the flagship smartphone produced by Nokia. ... The iPod touch is a portable media player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. ...

Accelerometers are used along with gyroscopes in inertial guidance systems, as well as in many other scientific and engineering systems. Inertial navigation systems may be constructed with only accelerometers but with two axis of accelerometer measurement instead of the usual three (when gyroscopes are available). A gyroscope is a device which demonstrates the principle of conservation of angular momentum, in physics. ... An inertial navigation system measures the position and altitude of a vehicle by measuring the accelerations and rotations applied to the systems inertial frame. ... A magnet levitating above a high-temperature superconductor demonstrates the Meissner effect. ... Engineering is the discipline of acquiring and applying knowledge of design, analysis, and/or construction of works for practical purposes. ...

One of the most common uses for MEMS accelerometers is in airbag deployment systems for modern automobiles. In this case the accelerometers are used to detect the rapid negative acceleration of the vehicle to determine when a collision has occurred and the severity of the collision. A mite less than 1 mm on a MEMS device. ... For the Mozilla crash reporting software previously called Airbag, see Breakpad. ...

The widespread use of accelerometers in the automotive industry has pushed their cost down dramatically. The increase in output from Q to Q2 causes a decrease in the average cost of each unit from C to C1. ...

Types of accelerometers

• Piezo-film or piezoelectric sensor - PCB Piezotronics, IMI Sensors^[1]
• Shear Mode Accelerometer — PCB Piezotronics IMI Sensors^[1],Connection Technology Center,
• Surface Micromachined Capacitive (MEMS) — Analog Devices, Freescale, Honeywell, PCB Piezotronics, Systron Donner Inertial (BEI)
• Thermal (submicrometre CMOS process) — MEMSIC
• Bulk Micromachined Capacitive — VTI Technologies, Colibrys
• Bulk Micromachined Piezo Resistive
• Capacitive Spring Mass Based - Rieker Inc
• Electromechanical Servo (Servo Force Balance)
• Null-balance
• Strain gauge - PCB Piezotronics
• Resonance
• Magnetic induction
• Optical
• Surface acoustic wave (SAW)
• Laser accelerometer
• [DC Response] - PCB Piezotronics
• High Temperature - PCB Piezotronics,Connection Technology Center
• Low Frequency - PCB Piezotronics,Connection Technology Center
• High Gravity - Connection Technology Center
• 4-20 mA Loop Power - PCB Piezotronics,Connection Technology Center
• Triaxial - PCB Piezotronics,Connection Technology Center
• Modally Tuned Impact Hammers - PCB Piezotronics, IMI Sensors^[1], IMI Sensors
• Seat Pad Accelerometers - PCB Piezotronics, Larson Davis
• PIGA accelerometer - Pendulating Integrating Gyroscopic Accelerometer. PIGA accelerometer
• Accelerometer data logger - Reference LLC

Piezoelectricity is the ability of certain crystals to produce a voltage when subjected to mechanical stress. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... CTC (Connection Technology Center Inc. ... Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) is an American multinational producer of semiconductor devices. ... American corporation Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. ... Honeywell Heating Specialties Company Stock Certificate dated 1924 signed by Mark C. Honeywell - courtesy of Scripophily. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... For other uses, see CMOS (disambiguation). ... Various types of capacitors A capacitor is a device that stores energy in the electric field created between a pair of conductors on which equal but opposite electric charges have been placed. ... In engineering, electromechanics combines electromagnetism and mechanics. ... Look up servo in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Typical foil strain gauge. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... This article is about resonance in physics. ... Electromagnetic induction is the production of an electrical potential difference (or voltage) across a conductor situated in a changing magnetic field. ... See also list of optical topics. ... A surface acoustic wave (SAW) is a kind of wave used in piezoelectric devices called SAW devices in electronics circuits. ... A laser accelerometer comprises a frame having three orthogonal input axes and multiple proof masses, each proof mass having a predetermined blanking surface. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... CTC (Connection Technology Center Inc. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... CTC (Connection Technology Center Inc. ... CTC (Connection Technology Center Inc. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... CTC (Connection Technology Center Inc. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... CTC (Connection Technology Center Inc. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ... The name PCB is acronym for PicoCoulomB which is technical terminology defining an electrical charge of the type generated by the piezoelectric sensors they manufacture. ...

Applications

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Zoll's AED Plus uses CPR-D•padz which contain an accelerometer to measure the depth of CPR chest compressions. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... An automated external defibrillator, open and ready for pads to be attached An Automated External Defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient,[1] and is able to treat them by application...

The Wii Remote for the Wii computer game console contains accelerometer for measuring movement and tilt to complement its pointer functionality. The Wii Remote, sometimes nicknamed Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendos Wii console. ... The Wii (pronounced as the pronoun we, IPA: ) is the fifth home video game console released by Nintendo. ...

Within the last several years, Nike, Polar and other companies have produced and marketed sports watches for runners that include footpods, containing accelerometers to help determine the speed and distance for the runner wearing the unit. Nike, Inc. ... Polar Electro Oy is pioneered and leading manufacturer of personal Heart rate monitor registering and evaluation equipment. ... For other senses of this word, see Marathon (disambiguation). ...

Apple Inc also uses an LIS302DL accelerometer in the iPhone and iPod Touch allowing the device to know when it is tilted on its side. Third-party developers have expanded its use with fanciful applications such as electronic bobbleheads. For the Internet appliance line, see Linksys iPhone. ... The iPod touch is a portable media player designed and marketed by Apple Inc. ... A bobblehead doll is a type of collectible doll. ...

The Nokia 5500 sport features a 3D accelerometer that can be accessed from software. It is used for step recognition (counting) in a sport application, and for tap gesture recognition in the user interface. Tap gestures can be used for controlling the music player and the sport application, for example to change to next song by tapping through clothing when the device is in a pocket. The Nokia N95 and Nokia N70 have accelerometers embedded inside them. The N70's is only used as a tilt sensor for tagging the orientation to photos taken with the built-in camera, while the N95's is also accessible by software thanks to a recent update, with applications using the accelerometer beginning to appear from Nokia and third parties. Some other devices provide the tilt sensing feature with a cheaper component, which is not a real accelerometer. The Nokia N95 (N95-1, internally known as RM-159) is the flagship smartphone produced by Nokia. ... The Nokia N70 is a multimedia 3G smartphone made by Nokia and launched in Q3 2005. ...

The Sony Ericsson W580 and Sony Ericsson W910 also have an accelerometer built inside the phone that enables Track Switching on music player known by users as the Shaker Feature but the W910 along with K850 can use the motion sensor feature in gaming, Picture UI AutoRotation and many other applications that require the feature and can be accessible via J2ME application. The first phone from the company to feature an accelerometer was the Sony Ericsson W710. The Sony Ericsson W580i is a mid range slider style mobile phone in the Walkman series. ... Announced on June 14 2007, The Sony Ericsson W910i is a QuadBand HSDPA/EDGE-powered slider model mobile phone with a 2-MegaPixel camera and comes with the Walkman Player v3. ... W710 is a mobile phone produced by Sony Ericsson The W710 was announced on May 18th, 2006. ...

A small number of modern notebook computers feature accelerometers to automatically align the screen depending on the direction the device is held. This feature is only relevant in Tablet PCs and some smartphones. Some notebooks use an acceleromter to detect drops and prepare the hard disk drive for impact, to avoid data loss. A Tablet PC is a notebook- or slate-shaped mobile computer. ...

Camcorders use accelerometers for image stabilization. Still cameras use accelerometers for anti-blur capturing. The camera holds off snapping the CCD "shutter" when the camera is moving. When the camera is still (if only for a millisecond, as could be the case for vibration), the CCD is "snapped". An example application which has used such technology is the Glogger VS2^[2], a phone application which runs on Symbian OS based phone with accelerometer such as Nokia N95. Some digital cameras, such as Canon's PowerShot and Ixus range contain accelerometers to determine the orientation of the photo being taken and also for rotating the current picture when viewing. Symbian OS is a proprietary operating system, designed for mobile devices, with associated libraries, user interface frameworks and reference implementations of common tools, produced by Symbian Ltd. ... The Nokia N95 (N95-1, internally known as RM-159) is the flagship smartphone produced by Nokia. ...

Accelerometers are used in rocketry to detect apogee.

Herman Digital Trainer uses accelerometers to measure strike force in physical training (The Contender 3 Episode 1 SPARQ testing ESPN).

Accelerometers can be used to calculate vehicle acceleration and deceleration. They allow for performance evaluation of both the engine/drive train and the braking systems. Useful numbers like 0-60mph, 60-0mph and 1/4 mile times can all be found using accelerometers. Tazzo Motorsports and G-Tech have taken this technology and packaged it into a convenient self contained dash mounted unit that can be added to a vehicle without any modifications.

Also used on the PlayStation 3 SIXAXIS controller The PlayStation 3 , trademarked PLAYSTATION®3,[3] commonly abbreviated PS3) is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment; successor to the PlayStation 2. ... // The nearly final PlayStation 3 controller. ...

References