How accelerometer works? | Working of accelerometer in a smartphone | MEMS inside accelerometer

How stuff works??? - Accelerometer ---------------------------------------------------------- In the current video we discuss the physics behind working of the accelerometer. Accelerometer is a key component in IMU (Inertial measurement unit). IMU is widely used in space vehicles, satellites, unmanned vehicles. The most common equipment we use in our daily lives having IMU is a smartphone. Be it android or ios, every smartphone has an accelerometer built into it. So what does accelerometer measure? Well, it is used to determine the component of acceleration in X, Y and Z planes in 3d space. Using these values of acceleration, different apps in the smartphones can perform various tasks. When readings of accelerometer are combined with the data from gyroscope and magnetometer (the other components in IMU), the orientation of the body in 3d space can be obtained and location of the body can be determined. The video first discusses the basic principle of acceleration measurement using a spring mass system. The value of acceleration is inferred by measuring the displacement. Check out the video to understand this concept better using animations. Once the basic principle about measurement of acceleration is understood, we learn about MEMS. MEMS stands for micro electro mechanical systems. These systems make it possible for accelerometer to be fabricated into small IC (Integrated Circuit). The video then explains how MEMS for accelerometer works.