On-line dynamic error compensation of accelerometers by uncertainty-optimal filtering

The output signal of an accelerometer typically contains dynamic errors when a broadband acceleration is applied. In order to determine the applied acceleration, post-processing of the accelerometer's output signal is required. To this end, we propose the application of a digital FIR filter. We evaluate the uncertainty associated with the filtered output signal and give explicit formulae which allow for on-line calculation. In this way, estimation of the applied acceleration and the calculation of associated uncertainties may be carried out during the measurement. The resulting uncertainties can strongly depend on the design of the applied filter and we describe a simple method to construct an uncertainty-optimal filter. The benefit of the proposed procedures is illustrated by means of simulated measurements. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.