Student Name: Atia Syed

Center Name: Network for Earth Quake Engineering Simulation

Host Institute: SUNY at Buffalo
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Reinhorn, Mark Pitman
Title of Presentation: Development of In-House Accelerometer Dynamic
Calibration System

Abstract

An in-house accelerometer dynamic calibration system has been developed for the
SEESL at University of Buffalo during the summer 2007. The system will be used by
laboratory personnel to verify the accuracy of the calibrated sensors over the frequency
range of interest to researchers conducting experiments at SEESL.

Motion sensors constitute a vital component of the apparatus used in Earthquake
Engineering experimentation. While several different types of motion sensors are
available, one the most commonly used is the accelerometer. The accelerometer is a class
of instruments used to measure shock and vibration motion, producing an electrical
output signal related to the applied motion. Accurate accelerometer calibration provides
physical meaning to this electrical output and it is a prerequisite for quality motion
measurements.

NEES at Buffalo has been using the turn over static calibration method to calibrate the
piezoresistive accelerometers being used in the Earthquake Engineering experimentation.
The newly developed system would provide SEESL with an in-house method of
dynamically calibrating the accelerometers.

The dynamic calibration system uses an air-bearing shaker (APS Dynamics, Inc. Model #
113-AB) to test the frequency response of accelerometers over a frequency range of 0-50
Hz, in comparison to a reference standard PCB accelerometer (PCB, Part # 482A23) with
an absolute deviation of 0.1% up to 500 Hz. A National Instruments Data Acquisition
System using NI Hardware and LabView 8.0 software has been used to drive the shaker,
as well as to acquire data from the reference standard and tested accelerometers, and
finally to generate the frequency response function comparing the tested accelerometers
vs. the standard. LabView is programmed to print the calibration certificate of the tested
equipment using the software DIA-Dem.

The in-house accelerometer dynamic calibration system will facilitate an easy-to-use,
accurate and much more reliable calibration process.
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 1 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007


2. Methods and Materials

The air bearing shaker (Model # 113-AB) used to develop the dynamic calibration system
was connected to an air Supply (Condenser) using air filter/regulator (Part # 5003), air
Tubing and a low pressure switch (Part # 502) which turns off the system if the pressure
drops below 34 Psi. A power amplifier (Modal Shop, Part # 2050E05) is connected to the
system to amplify the signal. In addition a current monitor, interconnecting cables and
BNC cables are used. LabVIEW 7.0 (National Instruments) is used to generate a sine
wave to excite the air bearing shaker as well as data acquisition. Accelerometer 301M26
(PCB, Part # 482A23) by PCB Piezotronics is used as a gold standard (Reference) with
0.01% accuracy over a frequency range of 0 to 1000 Hz. (The operating temperature is 71
F or 22 C with a relative humidity of 54%; see appendix A). The block diagram for
system installation is indicated; Fig (2.1).


































Current
Monitor
LabView 7.0
Signal
Source
Air Supply
Air Filter/
Regulator
5003
Inlet
Input Output
Air Tubing
8114-6A
8114-4A
Interconnect
Cable
0081-4A/2C
Model 113-AB
Shaker
Interconnect
Cable
Model 502
Low pressure
Switch
Amplifier
Air Tubing
Outlet
Figure 2.1: The block diagram indicating the apparatus to set up for the dynamic
accelerometer calibration system at SEESL
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 2 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007

The apparatus set up is indicated in figure 2.2






3. Experimental Procedure

Lab View 7.0 (National Instruments) was used for shaker excitation as well as data
acquisition. The lab view program can be divided into three different phases.

3a. Lab View Program:

The Lab View program developed for this system can be divided into three different
phases. 1) The excitation of shaker with a desired frequency range. 2) Collecting data
from the tested and reference standard accelerometers and processing it to generate
frequency response graphs. 3) Presenting results and printing calibration certificates.

The Lab View is programmed to read the frequency from a word file. The word file
encodes desired frequency range of 0-50 Hz with an increment of 1 between 1-10 Hz and
2 between 12-30 Hz. The increment is set to be 4 Hz between 34 and 50 Hz. The system
therefore is reading 25 different frequency values. The time delay (Fig 3.1) is adjustable
and determines the time duration / frequency. (System reads a particular frequency for
this duration of time). The time delay is set to be 5sec/frequency for testing and
evaluation.

Figure 2.2: The dynamic accelerometer calibration system.
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 3 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007

Generates sine wave
according to the
defined frequency
Send signals to
the shaker
While Loop shuts down
the program
automatically at the end
of the file
Time
Delay
Frequency




Phase 1 of the program comprises of a signal simulator and a DAQ assistant (Fig 3.1).
The signal simulator receives the frequency as an input form the word file, and generates
a sine wave, which is then sent out to the shaker using the DAQ assistant voltage out put.
A while loop (Fig 3.1) is used as a link between the word file and the Lab View program,
which shuts down the program as the word file ends.

Phase 2 of the program is used to acquire data. DAQ assistant 2 receives signals from
both the tested equipment and the reference (gold standard). A notch filter is used to cut
off line noise. These signals are then split into reference, test equipment 1 and test
equipment 2. Another VI (Fig 3.2), allows the user to define the amplitude, the amplitude
is set to be 1g (9.8m/s
2
) for testing purposes. Amplitude could be changed using a knob at
the front panel (Fig 3.3).


Figure 3.1: Phase 1: this part of the program is used to excite the air
bearing shaker with a desired frequency red form a word file, the signal
simulator generates a sine wave, which is then sent out to the shaker.
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 4 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007

Receives
signals from
accelerometers
Filters for
line noise
Split signals into
standard and test
If and Else
statement,
filters for
0/0
Process
Signals to
generate
Frequency
Response
output
Amplitude








Each signal is processed separately; the RMS value of each signal is calculated. The ratio
of the tested accelerometer RMS value and the gold standard (reference) RMS determines
the calibration factor for the tested accelerometer. Log of the ratio is calculated and
displayed.

An if or Else statement is used (Fig 3.2) to avoid 0/0 (when the two sine signals
cross 0). The final graph displays the ratio over the tested frequency range, on a dB scale
(Fig 4.2).

The processed signals from the block diagram could be viewed on the front panel of the
Lab View program. Several user defined variables could also be controlled from the front
panel (Fig 3.3).






Figure 3.2: Phase 2: this part of the program receives signals from the
tested accelerometers and the gold standard (reference), the signals are
filtered, processed to generate frequency response and sent to the front
panel
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 5 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007













The front panel (Fig 3.3) has two adjustment knobs for time delay and amplitude
respectively. The end of file is indicated on the front panel using an LED. Current shaker
frequency is also indicated. A scroll bar at the front panel (Fig 3.3) allows the user to
adjust the calibration factor until the ratio is exactly one. The calibration factor for each
tested accelerometer could then be red from the front panel directly.

The frequency response graphs generated for each tested accelerometer could be viewed
on the front panel (Fig 3.3) or exported to either Lab View report generator or DIA-Dem
to print the calibration certificate for each of the tested equipments.

Duration/frequency
Adjustment Knob
Shaker
Frequency
Indicator
Amplitude
Adjustment Knob
End of File
Indicator
Frequency Response Graphs
Figure 3.3: Front Panel: The front panel of the program has time delay
(duration/frequency) and amplitude adjustment knobs. The shaker
frequency (Hz) is displayed on an indicator. As the program approaches
to an end a green LED (end of file indicator) flashes to indicate that the
program has reached to an end. The frequency responses of tested
equipments can also be seen on the front panel.
Calibration
Factor
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 6 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007



4. Results and Recommendations

The SEESL personnel would use the In-house dynamic calibration system, developed
during the summer for the years to come. It would replace the turn over calibration
method used in SEESL before. The turn over calibration method only gives two data
points (0g and -2g), the dynamic calibration system on the other hand is programmed to
read a user defined frequency range and produce the frequency response of the calibrated
accelerometer. It is therefore much easier and convenient to detect errors during a seismic
experiment on the shake table.

Results from two sample calibrations (Sensotecs Model JTF Accelerometers; screw
mount) performed are shown below; Fig 4.2, 4.3.







The frequency response graph generated for the first tested accelerometer (Sensotecs
Model JTF Accelerometers) indicates 0.1 % accuracy up to 50 Hz.





Figure 4.1: The accelerometer used for the test calibrations
Figure 4.2: The frequency response graph of tested accelerometer 1 indicates 0.1%
accuracy over a frequency range of 0-50 Hz with a few deviations at frequencies below 10
Hz
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 7 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007

The frequency response curve of the second tested accelerometer (Sensotecs Model JTF
Accelerometers) is shown below (Fig 4.3)








The dynamic accelerometer calibration system would make the metrology practices at
SEESL much easier and accurate. However the system could be further improved for
ease of use and accuracy.

The system is currently programmed to calibrate two accelerometers simultaneously; the
program should be changed, such that the user is allowed to determine the number of
accelerometers to be calibrated. The Lab View program currently presents the results on a
dB scale, the program should be expanded such that the calibration certificate present the
result in both dB and linear scale.

The Lab View program was not connected to DIA-Dem (National Instruments) due to
installation problems, however it is recommended to export the data to DIA-Dem, which
allows to print the calibration certificates directly from the program. DIA-Dem also
provides the option to include the institution logo, the technician name and current date.








Figure 4.3: The frequency response of Sensotecs Model JTF Accelerometers over
a frequency range of 0-50 Hz. The curve represents 0.1% accuracy with slight
deviation at 30 Hz.
Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 8 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007

5. References

[1] Ashley, K. L.; Analog Electronics with LabView, Prentice Hall PTR; 2002

[2] Bishop, R.; LabView 8 Student Edition, National Instruments; 2007

[3] Dosch, J.; Air Bearing Shaker for Precision Calibration of Accelerometers, IMAC
2006

[4] Finnie I., Lim

B. Y.; A simple model to illustrate some aspects of vibration excitation
by delayed terms, Experimental Mechanics; 2007

[5] Johnson G. W.; LabView Graphical Programming : Practical Applications in
Instrumentation and Control, Mcgraw-Hill; 1997

[6] Matthew C.; Calibration of Accelerometer Output for Adults, Medicine & Science in
Sports & Exercise. 37(11) Supplement:S512-S522; 2005.

[7] Mihura B. LabView for Data Acquisition, Prentice Hall PTR; 2001

[8] Mohiuddin T., Bitter R., Nawrocki M.; LabView Advanced Programming Techniques,
CRC Press; 2007

[9] Peres M., Sill R. D,; A New Solution for Shock and Vibration Calibration of
Accelerometers, retrieved from:
http://www.modalshop.com/techlibrary/New%20Solution%20for%20Shock%20and%20
Vibration%20Calibration%20of%20Accelerometers.pdf on August 3
rd
, 07

[10] Sill, Robert D., Kim, Sang H., Accelerometer Shock Sensitivity Calibration Using a
Pneumatic Exciter, 77
th
Shock and Vibration Symposium, November 2006, Monterey,
CA, USA.












Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 9 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007

Appendix A

Proceedings of the 2007 Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
paper 33 10 Seattle, Washington | August 8-12, 2007