Accelerometers & Gyro Sensors

1.How are accelerometers different from gyro meters?

• The main difference between the two devices is simple: one can sense rotation, whereas the other cannot. Using the key principles of angular momentum, the gyroscope helps indicate orientation. In comparison, the gyroscope sensor measures linear acceleration based on vibration.

2.What should be the selecting characteristics of an accelerometer/gyro meter?

• Range
• Interface
• Number of axes measured
• Power usage
• Any bonus features

3.What are accelerometers? 

• It is an electromechanical device used to measure acceleration forces. Acceleration is the measurement of the change in velocity, or speed divided by time. It is a device that measures the vibration, or acceleration of motion of a structure. 

4.How do gyroscope sensors work?

• This is a device that measures the vibration, or acceleration of motion of a structure. The force caused by vibration or a change in motion (acceleration) causes the mass to "squeeze" the piezoelectric material which produces an electrical charge that is proportional to the force exerted upon it.

5.What is the use of accelerometers?

• The motion sensors in this senosor can even be used to detect earthquakes, and may be used in medical devices such as bionic limbs and other artificial body parts. Several devices, part of the quantified self movement, use gyroscopes.

6.What are the types of accelerometers?

• There are two classes of gyros in general: AC-response and DC-response. In an AC-response accelerometer sensor the output is AC coupled. An AC coupled device cannot be used to measure static acceleration such as gravity and constant centrifugal acceleration. A DC-response accelerometer sensor, on the other hand, is dc coupled, and can respond down to zero Hertz. It therefore can be used to measure static, as well as dynamic acceleration.