Inertial sensor inputs

The physical nature of sensor input signals (i.e., intensive, extensive, inertial) is of major importance for many fundamental questions concerning the choice of an appropriate transducer principle. Most issues related to... 

Modem short-period seismometers and geophones are passive inertial sensors which consist of a pendulum with a velocity transducer with sensitivity G in V-s/m mounted so as to measure the relative velocity xt of a proof mass M and frame of the sensor, as shown in Fig. 3. The spring constant of the mainspring and suspension combined K and the viscous damping B determine the transfer function of the pendulum, required to relate the output voltage Vg to the input motion of the frame, x . 

A new transduction technique that is being employed for inertial sensing is based on convective heat transfer. Temperature sensors around a central heater track convection as a function of acceleration input [68]. While this is not yet qualified for automotive production, it is a candidate for future devices. 

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