Inertial sensors and their applications

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.