Accelerometer vs. inclinometer vs. OrientationSensor

Question

What is the difference between these three?

I assume that Accelerometer supplies the raw data ( which is quite noisy ) and the other two combine accelerometer and gyro inputs to provide more accurate data. They (inclinometer and OrientationSensor).

Which scenarios are these 3 recommended for?

Answer 1

Ghost Rider,

The accelerometer is useful for roller coasters, race cars, etc..

The inclinometer is useful for angles.  If this was in your car you could know the slope of a hill you are on...  It is also useful for tracking the device as it rotates.

The Simple Orientation sensor helps you rotate things in 90 degree increments as the device is rotated.  This matches the devices orientation.

Orientation would be useful in gaming to move a 3D model as the device moves.

Best Wishes - Eric

Answer 2

I there any difference in accuracy of the data produced by these sensors? I vaguely recall that Microsoft published some paper on "Sensor fusion" for Windows 8 that would mix accelerometer, gyrometer and magnetometer signals to produce more accurate incline readings. Is it already enabled?

The app that I'm working on is mostly interested in measuring device incline. So my first idea was to use inclinometer. However it produced some strange readings on my BUILD Developer Prototype tablet (see this thread) so I ended up using accelerometer for the time being.

Answer 3

Sensor fusion is enabled.  I have been using the following evaluation boards form ST with nice results:

eMotion boards:

(ASIA )Arrow Asia: http://components-asiapac.arrow.com/cart/?version=en&partno=STEVAL-MKI119V1

(USA)Digikey: http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=STEVAL-MKI119V1&x=18&y=18

Answer 4

Also this blogpost is helpful:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/01/24/supporting-sensors-in-windows-8.aspx