
ADXL50
REV. B
–15–
+20
0
–30
10
10k
1k
100
1
–10
–20
+10
N
FREQUENCY – Hz
LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF
(F
L
) DUE TO AC COUPLING
HIGH FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF (F
)
DUE TO DEMODULATOR BANDWIDTH
Figure 27. Normalized Output Level vs. Frequency for a
Typical Application Using AC Coupling Between V
PR
and
Buffer Amplifier
MINIMIZING E MI/RFI
T he architecture of the ADX L50 and its use of synchronous de-
modulation make the device immune to most electromagnetic
(EMI) and radio frequency (RFI) interference. T he use of syn-
chronous demodulation allows the circuit to reject all signals ex-
cept those at the frequency of the oscillator driving the sensor
element. However, the ADX L50 does have a sensitivity to RFI
that is within
±
5 kHz of the internal oscillator’s nominal fre-
quency of 1 MHz. T he internal oscillator frequency will exhibit
part to part variation in the range of 0.6 MHz to 1.4 MHz.
In general the effect is difficult to notice as the interference
must match the internal oscillator within
±
5 kHz and must be
large in amplitude. For example: a 1 MHz interference signal of
20 mV p-p applied to the +5 V power supply pin will produce a
200 mV p-p signal at the V
PR
pin if the internal oscillator and
interference signals are matched exactly. If the same 20 mV in-
terference is applied but 5 kHz above or below the internal
oscillator’s frequency, the signal level at V
PR
will only be 20 mV
p-p in amplitude.
Power supply decoupling, short component leads (especially for
capacitors C1 and C2), physically small (surface mount, etc.)
components and attention to good grounding practices all help
to prevent RFI and EMI problems. Please consult the factory
for applications assistance in instances where this may be of
concern.
SE LF-CALIBRAT ING T HE ADX L50
If a calibrated shaker is not available, both the 0 g level and
scale factor of the ADX L50 may be easily set to fair accuracy by
using a self-calibration technique based on the 1 g (average) ac-
celeration of the earth’s gravity. Figure 28 shows how gravity
and package orientation affect the ADX L50’s output (T O-100
package shown). Note that the output polarity is that which ap-
pears at V
PR
; the output at V
OUT
will have the opposite sign.
With its axis of sensitivity in the vertical plane, the ADX L50
should register a 1 g acceleration, either positive or negative, de-
pending on orientation. With the axis of sensitivity in the hori-
zontal plane, no acceleration (0 g) should be indicated.
0g
(a)
0g
(b)
–1g
(c)
+1g
(d)
INDICATED POLARITY IS THAT
OCCURING AT V
PR
.
Figure 28. Using the Earth’s Gravity to Self-Calibrate the
ADXL50
T o self-calibrate the ADX L50, place the accelerometer on its
side with its axis of sensitivity oriented as shown in “a.” T he 0 g
offset potentiometer, Rt, is then roughly adjusted for midscale:
+2.5 V at the buffer output. If the optional scale factor trim-
ming is to be used, it should be adjusted next.
Next, the package axis should be oriented as in “c” (pointing
down) and the output reading noted. T he package axis should
then be rotated 180
°
to position “d” and the scale factor poten-
tiometer, R1a, adjusted so that the output voltage indicates a
change of 2 g’s in acceleration. For example, if the circuit scale
factor at the buffer output is 100 mV per g, then the scale factor
trim should be adjusted so that an output change of 200 mV is
indicated.
Adjusting the circuit’s scale factor will have some effect on its 0
g level so this should be readjusted, as before, but this time
checked in both positions “a” and “b.” If there is a difference in
the 0 g reading, a compromise setting should be selected so that
the reading in each direction is equidistant from +2.5 V. Scale
factor and 0 g offset adjustments should be repeated until both
are correct. T emporarily placing a capacitor across the buffer
amplifier’s feedback resistor will reduce output noise and so aid
in trimming the device. Note that, for high full-scale g ranges,
±
2 g may be a very small fraction of the full-scale range and
device nonlinearity will, therefore, affect the circuit’s high g level
accuracy.