The Crash Test Sensor is a joint project between Liquidware and Modern Device and is available here as an assembled module. Thanks! -Justin

The Crash Test Sensor interfaces the ADXL278 dual-axis high-g accelerometer to an Arduino-compatible microcontroller. It detects up to +/-50g of acceleration, making it perfect for reading out data on impact.

Output from the Crash Test Sensor is measured in mV/g, and typically operates at +5V, accepting a maximum of +7V. The board is also equipped with a self-test pin.

The Crash Test Sensor comes as a kit with 2 6-pin male headers, and it can be used for a variety of projects to measure the threshold level of impact before damage occurs.

Applications

• DIY crash test dummy
• Robotic crash detection
• Recording impact levels in sports (hockey, baseball)
• Gauging effects of impact/acceleration on human body
• Earthquake or vibration measurements

Pin References

• 2x Vin
• 4x Gnd
• Analog X out
• Analog Y out
• Self-test

Specifications

• Capable of measuring high-g acceleration, as well as vibration and static acceleration
• Measures full-scale range between +/-50g
• High linearity (0.2% of full scale)
• Standard operating voltage: +5V
• Max voltage: +7V
• Operating temperature range: -40 to +105 C

Resources

• Datasheet
• Crash Testing an RC Car
• Code on the Liquidware App Store

Media

Link to the cheatsheet as a PDF...

Source Code

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

}

int x0;

int y0;

void loop () {

x0 = analogRead(0);

y0 = analogRead(1);

Serial.print(x0);

delay(5);

Serial.print(" : ");

delay(5);

Serial.println(y0);

delay(5);

}