100 times smaller: New tilt sensor

Norwood, MA —

Analog Devices

’ highly integrated, dual-axis inclinometer makes accurate, easy-to-use tilt sensing affordable and accessible for industrial equipment manufacturers. The ADIS16209 programmable, dual-mode inclinometer sensor is used in applications that require inclination changes to be measured, including surveying equipment, factory machine tools, satellite antenna stabilization systems, motion safety monitors, and automotive wheel alignment. Functionally equivalent inclinometer solutions are typically 100 times larger than ADIS16209.

According to the company, the industry’s

most precise MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) inclinometer

, the ADIS16209 provides a fully compensated direct angle output with less than 0.1 degree linear inclination error, making it at least twice as accurate as competitive tilt sensors. This is credited to the embedded controller, which uses factory-installed calibration coefficients to dynamically sense 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. The MEMS-based inclinometer is significantly smaller than alternative sensing technologies, especially bulky, fluid-filled electrolytic sensors, which may require special board mounting. The ADIS16209 affords the option to integrate the sensor precisely at the point of sensing interest.

“The ADIS16209 provides an accurate and simple bits-out angle in a standard semiconductor format,” said Andy Garner, product line director for iSensor intelligent sensor products, Analog Devices. “This is a big departure from both electrolytic sensors and less integrated MEMS-based sensors.”

Pricing: $34.40 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities.

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