Improving industrial control with integrated MEMS inertial sensors

Bob Scannell, Analog Devices

Recent sensor technology developments are enabling revolutionary improvements in industrial system designs. Applications where inertial sensors can potentially improve system performance include platform stabilisation, motion control for industrial machinery, security/surveillance devices, robotics, industrial vehicle navigation and mechanical levelling.

The motion information provided by such sensors can be invaluable in improving not only performance but also reliability, safety and cost of ownership. However, there are barriers to overcome to obtain these benefits, particularly in the tough physical environment of many industrial applications, where temperature, vibration, limited space and other factors must be addressed. Extracting consistent data from the sensor, translating it into useful information, and reacting to it within the system’s timing and power budget require expertise on the part of the engineer in many technology domains, including careful design practice.

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