| Results found for: accelerometer |
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| accelerometer |
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A device that detects acceleration and tilt. Built using MEMS technology, accelerometers detect impact and deploy automobile airbags as well as retract the hard disk's read/write heads when a laptop is dropped. Digital cameras employ them in their image stabilization circuits. They are used in washing machines to detect excessive vibration and in pedometers for more accurate distance measurement. They also enable a handheld display to be switched between portrait and landscape modes when the unit is turned.
Springs and Bubbles
MEMS accelerometers initially used a microminiaturized cantilever-type spring, which converts force into a displacement that can be measured. Subsequent accelerometers use a heated gas bubble with thermal sensors and function much like the air bubble in a construction level. When the accelerometer is tilted or accelerated the sensors pick up the location of the gas bubble. See MEMS.
This MEMSIC accelerometer works conceptually like the air bubble in a construction level. The square in the middle of the chip is a resistor that heats up a gas bubble. As the device is moved, surrounding thermal couples sense the location of the bubble. (Image courtesy of MEMSIC, Inc.)
Because of its built-in accelerometer, an iPhone can be turned into a digital level with apps such as this one from PosiMotion (www.posimotion.com).
The device at the bottom left with the C-shaped wings is an accelerometer. Built one metal layer at a time, Microfabrica's EFAB system was the first MEMS foundry process to quickly turn customers' CAD files into micromachines. (Image courtesy of Microfabrica Inc., www.microfabrica.com)
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Entries before accelerometer
Accelerated Processor
acceleration
acceleration services
accelerator
accelerator board
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Entries after accelerometer
Accelis
ACCELL/SQL
accellerator
Accenture
acceptable use policy
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