Accelerometer - definition
Accelerometer - definition
Accelerometer is a sensor used to measure the linear acceleration acting on the body in which it is mounted. Acceleration can result from both the system's own movement and the action of external forces, including gravity. Accelerometers detect changes in velocity in one or multiple spatial directions, allowing the determination of motion dynamics, orientation, or vibrations.
The principle of operation of an accelerometer is most often based on recording the inertial forces acting on a reference mass placed inside the device. Modern accelerometers, especially in MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology, use microscopic mechanical structures and capacitive or piezoresistive sensors that respond to the displacement of the mass relative to the reference frame. These changes are converted into an electrical signal proportional to the acceleration.
Accelerometers are commonly used in mobile devices, inertial navigation systems, vehicle safety systems, robotics, sports, medicine, and in monitoring technical infrastructure. Depending on the design, they can measure accelerations in one, two, or three dimensions, and their accuracy and measurement range are adjusted to specific applications.
Thanks to their ability to detect changes in orientation and vibrations, accelerometers are a key component of IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) systems, often used in conjunction with gyroscopes and magnetometers. They enable, among other things, automatic screen rotation in smartphones, recording of overloads in vehicles, or analysis of motion parameters in biomechanical studies.
The sensitivity of the accelerometer, its measurement range, sampling frequency, and resistance to mechanical or temperature interference are important technical parameters that determine its suitability in a given work environment. In precision systems, filtering and calibration of signals are also important to eliminate noise and improve the accuracy of indications.
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