A modern smartphone is a technically complex device that has a huge number of complex sensors and modules, which are combined in one compact body. One of the most essential sensors found in any modern mobile phone is an accelerometer.
An accelerometer is a device whose purpose is to record acceleration. Due to the ability to register changes in acceleration per unit of time, this sensor, i.e. find out the position of the object in space. On the basis of the described phenomenon, it is possible to organize the operation of many modern devices - a pedometer, an orientation sensor in space, a speedometer, etc.
Since the area of application of the accelerometer is very wide,. This greatly simplifies the development of many auxiliary functions in modern electronic devices. In particular, any modern smartphone is equipped with an accelerometer, which allows it to be both a map and a distance traveled meter, and even a compass.
How the accelerometer works
Despite its apparent complexity, from a technical point of view, an accelerometer is a simple device.
The essence of the design is based on the registration of the movement of some weight (inert mass), fixed on the spring. In an insulated sealed case, a simple mechanism is assembled, which includes a certain mass, a spring and a damper. The damper eliminates inertial swinging of the weight, which are parasitic for the controller and lead to malfunctions.
The easiest way to imagine such a sensor is to remember the design of children's sprocket ears on a spring.
The inert mass inside the sensor, as a result of the movement of the accelerometer body, is deflected by a certain angle at a certain speed. This deviation is recorded by the accelerometer controller. Based on the registered value, the acceleration is calculated, the position of the object and other parameters are determined.
Description. The principal registration method does not change, but the size of the sensor itself changes. Is a small block, no more than 0.5 cm in size.
An important point is that the engineers managed to achieve a significant reduction in the size of the accelerometer without losing its high accuracy and reliability. This was done due to some design improvements. The inert mass inside the sensor was equipped with additional “legs”. In fact, it turns out that the device has not one sensor, but six at once.
Accelerometer in the phone
Today it is difficult to imagine a mobile gadget that is not equipped with an accelerometer. The sensor is widely used due to its small size, high accuracy and high reliability. Its presence allows you to implement many modern functions on a mobile device without unnecessary labor.
A familiar smartphone works precisely thanks to the presence of an accelerometer. A similar way to measure the deviation of the phone body from its position. The user controls the hero by moving the smartphone in space.
also functions thanks to the presence of an accelerometer. The inert mass deflection measures the change in body speed. The same effect allows.
In modern mobile devices, the accelerometer is complemented by a gyroscope, which increases the measurement accuracy.
