Digital Signal Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
Inertial Sensors and Their Applications
Jussi Collin, Pavel Davidson, Martti Kirkko-Jaakkola,
and Helena Leppakoski
Abstract
Due to the universal presence of motion, vibration, and shock,
inertial motion sensors can be applied in various contexts. Development of the
microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology opens up many new consumer and
automotive applications for accelerometers and gyroscopes. The large variety of
application creates different requirements to inertial sensors in terms of accuracy,
size, power consumption and cost. It makes it difficult to choose sensors that are
suited best for the particular application. Signal processing methods depend on the
application and should reflect on the physical principles behind this application.
This chapter describes the principles of operation of accelerometers and gyroscopes,
different applications involving the inertial sensors. It also gives examples of signal
processing algorithms for pedestrian navigation and motion classification.
1
Introduction to Inertial Sensors
Inertial sensors measure motion parameters with respect to the inertial space.
They generally fall into two categories: (a) instruments sensing linear inertial
displacement, also known as accelerometers, (b) rotational inertial rate sensors, also
called angular rate sensors or gyroscopes.
J. Collin (
) P. Davidson M. Kirkko-Jaakkola H. Leppakoski
Department of Pervasive Computing, Tampere University of Technology, Finland
