Accelerometer anchors condition monitoring solutions

Condition monitoring is a predictive maintenance strategy that monitors the condition of assets using different types of sensors.

Using the data extracted from these sensors, assets can be monitored in real time to establish trends, predict failure, and even calculate the lifetime of an asset.

To assist customers with CbM applications, Analog Devices has developed the Voyager 3 system evaluation solution which provides wireless MEMS accelerometer-based vibration monitoring.

The system solution combines mechanical attach features, hardware, firmware, and PC software to enable rapid deployment and evaluation of a 3-axis vibration monitoring solution. The module can be directly attached to a motor or fixture.

Furthermore, it can also be combined with other modules on the same wireless mesh network to provide a broader picture with multiple sensor nodes as part of a condition-based monitoring system.

The Voyager3 system incorporates a signal chain consisting of a tri-axis ADXL356 accelerometer mounted to the base of the module. The output of the accelerometer is read into an AD7685 ADC, and then processed by an ADuCM4050 low power microcontroller. Here it is buffered, transformed to the frequency domain and streamed to the SmartMesh IP mote.

From the SmartMesh chip it is wirelessly streamed to the SmartMesh IP Manager. The manager connects to a PC and visualisation and saving of the data can take place.

The Voyager3 kit supports ADI SmartMesh mote hopping. This is where a mote, which is out of range of the network manager, can hop through an in-range mote. The multiple hops network ensures that out-of-range motes can stream data to the network manager, which extends the reach and the scale of the solution deployment.

The ADXL356 three-axis accelerometers feature an analogue output and provide selectable measurement ranges of ±10 g, ±20 g and ±40 g for greater flexibility. The accelerometer offers noise density of 80 µg/root Hz, with guaranteed maximum 0 g offset drift over temperature of 0.75 mg/C, enabling precision applications with minimal calibration.

In addition, the hermetic package helps ensure that the end product conforms to its repeatability and stability specifications long after it leaves the factory.

The ADXL356 MEMS sensor is supported by the EVAL-ADXL35x evaluation boards which allow quick evaluation of the performance of Analog Devices series of low power, low noise, low drift 3-axis, MEMS accelerometers.

The evaluation boards are ideal for evaluation of the ADXL35x accelerometer series within an existing system because the stiffness and the small size of the evaluation board minimise the effect of the board on both the system and acceleration measurements.

The accelerometer and evaluation board is in stock at Anglia Components.