The LCF-501 series of Force-balance accelerometers were developed as a transparent counterpart to the LCA-165, possessing the same range options, power requirements and form factor; additionally, the 501 series possesses improved performance due to the designs of the new standardized force-balance module: the J-301. This torquer type makes use of taut-band torsional suspension, rather than…
Continue Reading
Many electrolytic sensors are placed in areas with extreme environmental conditions. These can be extreme cold when tracking a glacier or extreme heat when measuring the smallest vibration of a volcano. These temperature changes will alter the characteristics of your sensor as the metals expand and contract, ultimately affecting the output and accuracy of the…
Continue Reading
Users of force balance inclinometers and tilt sensors can often see high noise in the field. Understanding the device is critical to solving the problem. A force balance inclinometer, or tilt sensor, is a high resolution, extremely accurate force balance accelerometer which is responding to the acceleration of Earth’s gravity to determine the angle of tilt….
Continue Reading
Many problems encountered when using sensors such as Jewell’s products are often a result of the way the sensors are connected. The wiring and connections of each product and model will vary, so it is very important to review the documentation for the specific model being used. It’s also important to make the distinction between…
Continue Reading
Whether you’re on a military mission, flying an airplane, or driving to your friend’s house, odds are you’ve used GPS. GPS has many uses, but not for underwater vehicles. For subsea navigation, an electronic compass is a key component for engineers. Limitations of GPS Beneath an open sky, low-end GPS systems such as smartphones are accurate…
Continue Reading
Military, marine navigation, unmanned vehicles, and more depend on the accuracy of an electronic compass. There are several factors that can greatly influence how a compass takes its readings. Here are three of these factors and how to be aware of them. #1 Time-Varying Magnetic Fields A time-varying magnetic field in the vicinity of an…
Continue Reading
When harnessing the accuracy of an electronic compass, a number of factors, including magnetic conditions, can greatly impact performance. Here are two examples of these conditions and how to fix them. 1. Static Permanent Magnetism The source of a local permanent magnetic field can be a piece of hard iron (hence the common name), a…
Continue Reading
Whether precision measurements need to be taken in extreme temperatures, areas with vibration, noise, or even underwater, there is a sensor that is built for it. Many applications expose sensors to dust or moisture, but sealing is intended to protect the units from these harmful substances. If you’re wondering which sensor seal rating is needed in your application, here are three questions…
Continue Reading
Precision inertial sensors are so sensitive that even noise waves can be detected as vibration. For many applications, noise is inevitable, but noise interference in the sensor’s readings is unacceptable. This post explains what causes noise disruption and how it can be prevented. What Causes Noise Interference for Sensors Loud machinery within industrial applications can…
Continue Reading
An electronic compass is a combination of a magnetometer, tilt sensors and optional accelerometers and gyros that provide orientation and measurement within a growing number of applications. If you’re wondering if a compass may be the missing piece in your project, here a few application examples. 1. Orientation Data for Unmanned Subsea Vehicles Autonomous underwater…
Continue Reading