Design and Realization of Closed Loop Amplitude Control Automated Accelerometer Calibration System

Abstract

Accelerometer is a sensor that converts mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. During vibration tests of spacecraft and its subsystems, accelerometer is a primary device to measure the level of vibrations. As vibration tests are potentially destructive in nature, control accelerometer plays a vital role during closed-loop vibration tests. A deviation in the control accelerometers’ output will cause over test and under test of the test specimen. In this regard, accelerometers are required to perform with predefined accuracy and range under extreme environmental conditions. For this purpose, accelerometers are required to be calibrated every year to confirm performance of the accelerometer. This paper proposes a Closed Loop Amplitude Control Automated Accelerometer Calibration System as per International Standard for Organization (ISO) 16063 PART 21. This system was designed and realized to meet the above standard. Lab View was used to incorporate the proposed system’s GUI features, computations, and automation.