Vibration data acquisition and visualization system using MEMS accelerometer

Vibration measurement and its real-time graphical representation is often required for analysis of physical conditions of machines, engines as well as in scientific researches, earth-quake amplitude measurement etc. This project work was intended to develop a system for measurement and real-time visualization of vibration. An electronic accelerometer sensor facilitates the vibration sensing procedure. The measured value is then transmitted to the visualization software installed in a personal computer which provides quantitative and qualitative information about the vibration phenomena in addition with a real-time graphical visualization feature. Two test cases were selected to verify the performance of the system. The first one was implemented to visualize and measure vibration parameters of a simple plastic stand, and the second one was intended to test the system performance on an induction motor for measurement and visualization of its horizontal vibration parameters. The performance analysis in the above mentioned cases confirms the stability and reliability of the system in vibration analysis for frequency range up to 5 kHz. This concludes to a low cost vibration analysis system for uses in medium range vibration analysis like earth quake monitoring, machine vibration level monitoring etc. Though there are many available vibrations analysis systems are available, this paper work is intended to derive the process of building a low cost PIC microcontroller and C# .NET based vibration analysis system for general purpose uses like laboratory equipment or study material from commercially available equipment.