High-precision, dual-mode digital inclinometer

28 November 2007 Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI

Analog Devices has introduced a highly integrated, dual-axis inclinometer said to make accurate, easy-to-use tilt sensing an affordable and accessible option for industrial equipment manufacturers. The ADIS16209 programmable, dual-mode inclinometer sensor is suited to a diverse set of industrial applications that require inclination changes to be measured, including surveying equipment, factory machine tools, satellite antenna stabilisation systems, motion safety monitors and automotive wheel alignment. According to the manufacturer, functionally equivalent inclinometer solutions are typically 100 times larger than the ADIS16209.

Also claimed to be the industry's most precise MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) inclinometer, the ADIS16209 provides a fully compensated direct angle output with less than 0,1° linear inclination error, making it at least twice as accurate as competitive tilt sensors. This is due to the addition of an embedded controller, which uses factory-installed calibration coefficients to dynamically sense the system environment and compensate the direct-digital angular output to account for changes in voltage, temperature, angle and other variables. Other MEMS-based tilt sensors typically require industrial engineers to perform additional external calibration and signal processing that adds time, cost and complexity to product design.

The ADIS16209 is capable of measuring dual-axis tilt with less than 0,1° error across a ±30-degree range when mounted horizontally. Because of its unique dual-mode operation, the new sensor also supports a vertically mounted single-axis implementation, over a full 360° range. The tuneable digital sensor data is output via an SPI port, which provides access to inclination (0,025° resolution), acceleration (0,244 mG resolution), temperature and power supply. The ADIS16209 also features a 12-bit auxiliary ADC input and DAC output, digital self-test function and configurable condition monitoring, including alarms. The sensor operates on a single 3 V to 3,6 V power supply and can withstand a 3500 G shock.

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