
Analog Devices Confidential
REV 0 10/9/98
THEORY OF OPERATION
The ADXL105 is a complete acceleration measurement
system on a single monolithic IC. It contains a polysilicon
surface-micromachined sensor and signal conditioning
circuitry to implement an open loop acceleration
measurement architecture. The ADXL105 is capable of
measuring both positive and negative accelerations to a
maximum level of
±
5g. The accelerometer measures static
dc acceleration forces such a gravity allowing it to be used
as a tilt sensor.
The sensor is a surface micro-machined polysilicon
structure built on top of the silicon wafer. Polysilicon
springs suspend the structure over the surface of the wafer
and provide a resistance against acceleration forces.
Deflection of the structure is measured with a differential
capacitor structure that consists of two independent fixed
plates and a central plate attached to the moving mass. The
fixed plated are driven by a 180
°
out of phase square waves.
If an acceleration causes the beam to deflect then the
differential capacitor unbalances resulting in a output
square wave whose amplitude is proportional to
acceleration. Phase sensitive demodulation techniques are
then used to rectify the signal and determine the direction
of the acceleration.
Uncommitted Amp
Temp Sensor
Ap Resistors
CALIBRATING THE XL105
The initial value of the offset and scale factor for the
XL105 will require calibration for applications such as tilt
measurement.
For low g applications, the force of gravity is the most
stable, accurate and convenient acceleration reference
available. An approximate reading of the 0g point can be
determined by orientating the device parallel to the Earth’s
surface and then reading the output. For high accuracy, a
calibrated fixture must be used to ensure exact 90 deg
orientation to the 1g gravity signal.
A more accurate calibration method is to make a
measurements at +1g and -1g. Both the offset and the
sensitivity can be determined by the two measurements.
This method has the advantage of being less sensitive to the
alignment of the accelerometer because the on axis signal is
proportional to the Cos() of the Angle. For example, a 5
deg error in the orientation results in only a 0.4% error in
the measurement.
To calibrate, the accelerometer measurement axis is pointed
directly at the Earth. The 1 g reading is saved and the
sensor is turned 180
°
to measure -1g. Using the two
readings, offset and sensitivity are calculated:
0g = [1g reading - (-1g reading)]/2 + (-1g reading)
Sensitivity = [1g reading - (-1 g reading)]/2g
APPLICATIONS
Decoupling
A 0.1uf decoupling capacitor is recommended between Vdd
and Com.
Temperature Sensor
The temperature sensor is ratiometric to supply and outputs
a nominal 10mV/deg Celcius. The sensor is calibrated
such that 25 deg C equals approximately 2.5V. The sensor
is optimized for repeatability rather than accuracy for the
purpose of sensor temperature drift calibration.
Accelerometer Output
The accelerometer output Aout is set to a nominal scale
factor of 250mV/g. Use the uncommitted amplifier to
buffer the accelerometer from loading and to set other scale
factors.
Uncommitted Amplifier and Application Resistors
Using the uncommitted amplifier and and the application
resistors, scale factors of 250mV/g, 330mV/g, 500mV/g,
1V/g and 1.5V/g can be set. Use the following connections
to set different gain ranges.
Pin Strapping to Set Gain Ranges
Gain
Range
(mV/g)
x 1.0
250
x 1.33
333
x 2.0
500
x 4.0
1000
x 6.0
1500
Aout
Vin
UCA Out
Pin 11
Pin 5
Pin 5
Pin 5
Pin 5
Pin 13
Pin 3
Pin 4
Pin 3,4
Pin 4
Pin 12
Pin 2
Pin 3
Pin 2
Pin 2
Typical Application Circuit
XL105 with a -1V/g scale factor
ADXL105
Vs/2
X Sensor
ST
Vin
UCAout
Vnin
+
-
R3
R1
R2
R4
Aout
Uncommitted
Amplifier
Application
Resistors
R 2R 4R
Vdd
Com
Temp
Sensor
Tout
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
+5V
Gnd
0.1uF
Cfilt (optional)