Analog Devices introduces a two-axis inclinometer sensor

     Analog Devices has released a highly integrated, two-axis inclinometer to provide industrial equipment manufacturers with an extremely accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable inclinometer solution. The ADIS16209 programmable, dual-axis inclinometer sensor is suitable for a variety of industrial applications that require measurement of inclinometer changes, including measurement equipment, factory machine tools, satellite antenna stabilization systems, motion safety monitors and automotive wheel alignment devices. Identical inclinometer solutions are typically up to 100 times larger than the ADIS16209.

     The ADIS16209 is the industry's most sophisticated micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) inclinometer, providing a fully compensated direct Angle output with a linear tilt error of less than 0.1 degrees, which improves its accuracy to at least twice that of comparable inclinometer sensors. This is because the ADIS16209 adds an embedded controller that uses factory-installed correction factors to dynamically detect the system environment and compensate the direct digital Angle output to address errors caused by changes in voltage, temperature, Angle, and other parameters.

     Other MEMS-based tilt sensors often require industrial engineers to complete increased external calibration and signal processing, which can add time, cost, and complexity to product design. In addition, the size of Analog Devices MEMS-based inclinometers is significantly smaller than other detection solutions, especially large electrolytic capacitive inclinometers that require a dedicated mounted circuit board. As a result, the ADIS16209 provides design engineers with the option to easily integrate new precision sensors almost as intended for detection.

     "The ADIS16209 provides accurate, direct bit output Angle information in a standard semiconductor format," said Andy Garner, director of the iSensor Smart Sensor product line at Analog Devices, which is fundamentally different from electrolytic capacitive tilt sensors and low-integration MEMS-based sensors. The on-chip dynamic compensation of the ADIS16209 is important for two reasons: First, it allows our customers to handle changes in the middle of the system design without missing time to market; Second, it provides the end user with a device that can accurately detect data, which can prevent costly and cumbersome recalibrations that can be caused by changes in the field environment."

     The ADIS16209 biaxial programmable inclinometer, based on Analog Devices' iMEMS integrated microelectromechanical system core, is capable of measuring the biaxial inclinometer with an error of less than 0.1 degrees within a ±30 degree measurement range when mounted horizontally. Thanks to its unique dual-axis operating mode, the new sensor also supports vertically mounted single-axis detection over the full 360 degree range.

     The adjustable digital sensor data is output via an industry-standard serial peripheral interface (SPI) that accesses tilt (0.025 degree resolution), acceleration (0.244mg resolution), temperature, and power supply voltage. The ADIS16209 also features a 12-bit auxiliary ADC input and DAC output, digital self-check capabilities, and configurable condition monitoring, including alarms. The sensor uses 3V ~ 3.6V single power supply and can withstand 3500g shock.