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CHEAP, single-axis accelerometers?

D

David Harper

Jan 1, 1970
0
Does anyone know any good *cheap*, single-axis accelerometers with a
range of about +/- 10 g's (error on the order of +/- 1%)? I'm hoping
to incorporate this with a microcontroller. Measurement intervals
would be no faster than 100/s (probably more like 20/s). This is not
for vibration measurement, but rather acceleration.

Any suggestions or experience to offer?

Thanks in advance!
Dave
 
T

Tim Wescott

Jan 1, 1970
0
David said:
Does anyone know any good *cheap*, single-axis accelerometers with a
range of about +/- 10 g's (error on the order of +/- 1%)? I'm hoping
to incorporate this with a microcontroller. Measurement intervals
would be no faster than 100/s (probably more like 20/s). This is not
for vibration measurement, but rather acceleration.

Any suggestions or experience to offer?

Thanks in advance!
Dave

Have you looked at the Analog Devices MEMS units? I don't know off hand
if they're good to 1%, but they're certainly cheap and good for 10g's.
 
O

onestone

Jan 1, 1970
0
David said:
Does anyone know any good *cheap*, single-axis accelerometers with a
range of about +/- 10 g's (error on the order of +/- 1%)? I'm hoping
to incorporate this with a microcontroller. Measurement intervals
would be no faster than 100/s (probably more like 20/s). This is not
for vibration measurement, but rather acceleration.

Any suggestions or experience to offer?

Thanks in advance!
Dave

'Cheap' is Analog Devices or MEMSIC. MEMSIC are cheaper than AD, but
have lower bandwidth. 20 samples a second isn't enough for accurate
acceleration, ie standing quarters etc. You'll need 50 - 100, and I'd
use a dual axis, if only to allow calculations to take body angle of the
vehicle into account.

Al
 
H

Hal Murray

Jan 1, 1970
0
Does anyone know any good *cheap*, single-axis accelerometers with a
range of about +/- 10 g's (error on the order of +/- 1%)? I'm hoping
to incorporate this with a microcontroller. Measurement intervals
would be no faster than 100/s (probably more like 20/s). This is not
for vibration measurement, but rather acceleration.

What do you mean by "cheap"? When I think cheap, I think of high volume.

One possibly intersting source would be parts intended to trigger
air bags in cars.
 
T

Tim Wescott

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hal said:
What do you mean by "cheap"? When I think cheap, I think of high volume.

One possibly intersting source would be parts intended to trigger
air bags in cars.

That's what the silicon MEMS parts from Analog Devices and others are
for. There are quartz MEMS devices that are better (look for
BEI/Systron Donner), and if you want a _real_ accelerometer get a
force-balanced type like they use in inertial nav systems.
 
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