A miniaturized low power personal motion analysis logger utilizing MEMS accelerometers and low power microcontroller
K.E. Bliley, D.R. Holmes, Paul H. Kane, Randal C. Foster, James A. Levine, Erik S. Daniel, Barry K. Gilbert · 2005
Portable uniaxial accelerometer units have been widely used to quantify non-exercise activity, but these instruments are not sufficiently sensitive to quantify the physical activity of a given free-living individual. Significant improvements can be made over current systems by utilizing cutting-edge technologies, such as low-power microcontrollers and MEMS accelerometers, to develop power-efficient motion analysis systems with small form factors. A motion tracking system with a very compact form factor would experience greatly expanded use and allow a wider range of activities to be studied. We have built several small devices incorporating either 2-axis or 3-axis MEMS accelerometer, low-power microcontroller, and mini secure digital memory card. Our device has proven to be comparable to the existing motion analysis system at distinguishing subject posture and motion.