Accelerometer Overview

As mechanical devices, accelerometers measure the dynamic forces of gravitational pull

such as magnitude and direction. They are able to do this by sensing displacement caused by
acceleration. There are numerous types of accelerometers, and choosing the right accelerometer
all depends on the job at hand. Some accelerometers operate by sensing changes in electrical
capacitance; others can measure changes in voltage that stem from fluctuations in a magnetic
field surrounding the accelerometer. Accelerometers have a wide variety of practical uses,
ranging from monitoring the logistical processes of the postal service, to censoring the stresses
and vibrations caused by traffic flow on a spanning bridge.
In this lab module, the accelerometer utilized two axes and the tilt angle of each axis to
measure direction and magnitude via a system of free moving fingers and a set of fixed fingers.
When the accelerometer is tilted, the moving fingers slide closer to their respective fixed equals,
resulting in a change in the distance between the two fingers. The difference between this
distance and the original distance when the accelerometer is in its default position with no
acceleration acting upon it is the resultant magnitude of the tilt of the accelerometer.
The data given from the accelerometer is then used in conjunction with a Matlab script
that reads the data and transposes it into a form that can be recognized and read by the
servomotor. This, however, is a raw translation of the accelerometer signal, so a filter is utilized to
create a softened version of the rough signal. This cleaned up version of the signal then smoothly
and accurately controls the servomotors, and by default, the balance board.

Abstract
By having to create a maze and run through it using the accelerometer to control the
balance board, the underlying mechanics and principles of working with the accelerometer, the
servomotors, and Matlab are clearly presented in a logical manner. We were able to write a
proper code that allowed us to perform these tasks successfully and within the restrictions set
forth in the course curriculum. By properly completing the assigned tasks, we learned the
fundamental rules of operating an accelerometer in a real-life application. In a world dominated by
the power of technology, accelerometers can be found in abundance everywhere.

http://www.sensr.com/pdf/practical-guide-to-accelerometers.pdf
https://core.coe.drexel.edu/sites/default/files/Fall-8.pdf