Accelerometer accuracy

Accelerometers can be used to make very accurate pedometers that can measure walking distance to within ±1%.

1. How accurate is a MEMS accelerometer?
2. What is the sensitivity of an accelerometer?
3. What are the limitations of accelerometer?
4. Do accelerometers need calibration?

How accurate is a MEMS accelerometer?

Accurate inclination or tilt sensing is a demanding application for MEMS capacitive accelerometers, especially in the presence of vibration. Using MEMS capacitive accelerometers to achieve 0.1° of tilt accuracy in dynamic environments is very difficult—<1° is difficult and >1° is very achievable.

What is the sensitivity of an accelerometer?

Accelerometer Sensitivity:

The ratio of change in acceleration (input) to change in the output signal. This defines the ideal, straight-line relationship between acceleration and output (Figure 1, gray line).

What are the limitations of accelerometer?

Accelerometers do not inform on body posture; thus, they cannot distinguish between sitting and standing still. However, for some populations, these are not major limitations; for example, in the WHS below that includes older women, walking is the most common physical activity.

Do accelerometers need calibration?

In general, you should not need to calibrate this sensor. Each sensor is calibrated prior to being shipped. In most experiments you can simply use the default calibration, but then use the software's zeroing option and zero the sensor along the axes. Calibration may be done using the acceleration due to gravity.