A Tilt Sensor Node Embedding a Data-Fusion Algorithm for Vibration-Based SHM

This work describes a miniaturized sensor network based on low-power, light-weight and small footprint microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor nodes capable to simultaneously measure tri-axial accelerations and tri-axial angular velocities. A real-time data fusion algorithm based on complementary filters is applied to extract tilt angles. The resulting device is designed to show competitive performance over the whole frequency range of the inertial units. Besides the capability to provide accurate measurements both in static and dynamic conditions, an optimization process has been designed to efficiently make the fusion procedure running on-sensor. An experimental campaign conducted on a pinned-pinned steel beam equipped with a network comprising several sensor nodes was used to evaluate the reliability of the developed architecture. Performance metrics revealed a satisfactory agreement to the physical model, thus making the network suitable for real-time tilt monitoring scenarios.