Analog Devices has introduced a highly integrated, dual-axis inclinometer that makes accurate, easy-to-use tilt sensing an affordable and accessible option for industrial equipment manufacturers. The ADIS16209 programmable, dual-mode inclinometer sensor is suited to a diverse set of industrial applications that require inclination changes to be measured, including surveying equipment, factory machine tools, satellite antenna stabilisation systems, motion safety monitors and automotive wheel alignment. Functionally equivalent inclinometer solutions are typically 100 times larger than the ADIS16209.
The ADIS16209 provides a fully compensated direct angle output with less than 0.1-degree linear inclination error. This is due to the addition of an embedded controller, which uses factory-installed calibration coefficients to dynamically sense the system environment and compensate the direct-digital angular output to account for changes in voltage, temperature, angle and other variables. ADI's MEMS-based inclinometer is also smaller than alternative sensing technologies, especially bulky, fluid-filled electrolytic sensors, which can require special board mounting. As a result, the ADIS16209 affords designers the option to more easily integrate the new sensor precisely at the point of sensing interest.
The ADIS16209 dual-axis programmable inclinometer, based on an Analog Devices' iMEMS (integrated micro-electromechanical systems) core, is capable of measuring dual-axis tilt with less than 0.1 degrees error across a ±30-degree range when mounted horizontally. Because of its dual-mode operation, the new sensor also supports a vertically mounted single-axis implementation, over a full 360-degree range. The tuneable digital sensor data is output via an industry-standard SPI (serial peripheral interface) port, which provides access to inclination (0.025 degree resolution), acceleration (0.244 mg resolution), temperature and power supply. The ADIS16209 also features a 12-bit auxiliary ADC input and DAC output, digital self-test function and configurable condition monitoring, including alarms. The sensor operates on a single 3-V to 3.6-V power supply and can withstand a 3500-g shock.
The ADIS16209 dual-axis programmable inclinometer is sampling now in a 9.2 mm × 9.2 mm × 3.9 mm laminate-based LGA (land grid array) package. Production quantities will be available in November 2007.
