
ADXL322
Peak-to-peak noise values give the best estimate of the uncer-
tainty in a single measurement. Table 7 gives the typical noise
output of the ADXL322 for various C
X
and C
Y
values.
Table 7. Filter Capacitor Selection (C
X
, C
Y
)
Bandwidth
(Hz)
(μF)
(m
g
)
10
0.47
0.9
50
0.1
2
100
0.047
2.8
500
0.01
6.2
Rev. 0 | Page 13 of 16
C
X
, C
Y
RMS Noise
Peak-to-Peak Noise
Estimate (m
g
)
5.3
11.8
16.7
37.3
USE WITH OPERATING VOLTAGES OTHER THAN 3 V
The ADXL322 is tested and specified at V
S
= 3 V; however, this
part can be powered with V
S
as low as 2.4 V or as high as 6 V.
Note that some performance parameters change as the supply
voltage is varied.
The ADXL322 output is ratiometric, so the output sensitivity
(or scale factor) varies proportionally to supply voltage. At V
S
=
5 V, the output sensitivity is typically 750 mV/
g
. At V
S
= 2.4 V,
the output sensitivity is typically 335 mV/
g
.
The zero
g
bias output is also ratiometric, so the zero
g
output is
nominally equal to V
S
/2 at all supply voltages.
The output noise is not ratiometric but is absolute in volts;
therefore, the noise density decreases as the supply voltage
increases. This is because the scale factor (mV/
g
) increases
while the noise voltage remains constant. At V
S
= 5 V, the
noise density is typically 150 μ
g
/√Hz, while at V
S
= 2.4 V,
the noise density is typically 300 μ
g
/√Hz,
Self-test response in
g
is roughly proportional to the square of
the supply voltage. However, when ratiometricity of sensitivity
is factored in with supply voltage, the self-test response in volts
is roughly proportional to the cube of the supply voltage. For
example, at V
S
= 5 V, the self-test response for the ADXL322 is
approximately 610 mV. At V
S
= 2.4 V, the self-test response is
approximately 59 mV.
The supply current decreases as the supply voltage decreases.
Typical current consumption at V
S
= 5 V is 700 μA, and typical
current consumption at V
S
= 2.4 V is 340 μA.
USE AS A DUAL-AXIS TILT SENSOR
Tilt measurement is one of the ADXL322’s most popular
applications. An accelerometer uses the force of gravity as an
input vector to determine the orientation of an object in space.
An accelerometer is most sensitive to tilt when its sensitive axis
is perpendicular to the force of gravity (that is, when the pack-
age is parallel to the earth’s surface). At this orientation, the
accelerometer’s sensitivity to changes in tilt is highest. When the
accelerometer is oriented on axis to gravity (near its +1
g
or 1
g
reading), the change in output acceleration per degree of tilt is
negligible. When the accelerometer is perpendicular to gravity,
its output changes nearly 17.5 m
g
per degree of tilt. At 45°, its
output changes at only 12.2 m
g
per degree of tilt, and resolution
declines.
Converting Acceleration to Tilt
When the accelerometer is oriented so both its X-axis and
Y-axis are parallel to the earth’s surface, it can be used as a
2-axis tilt sensor with both a roll axis and a pitch axis. Once
the output signal from the accelerometer has been converted
to an acceleration that varies between 1
g
and +1
g
, the output
tilt in degrees is calculated as
PITCH
=
ASIN
(
A
X
/1
g
)
ROLL
=
ASIN
(
A
Y
/1
g
)
Be sure to account for overranges. It is possible for the
accelerometers to output a signal greater than ±1
g
due
to vibration, shock, or other accelerations.