Tilt Sensor Circuit

[wfrench]

I'm trying to design a circuit/product for my degree that checks that an angle is correct. EG. an incline of a slope/ladder etc is correct (say between 25 - 30 degrees) and if it is outside the limit a buzzer goes off. Maybe even have a display to show the angle. I'm trying to do this on a tight budget, i have looked into tilt sensors but the only cheap ones I have seen are the trigger ones with either a ball or tilt switch, is there anything programmable or customizable?

Does this make sense, I am competent in soldering and know the basics, could someone put me in the right direction, any existing circuits out there?

Regards,

Will

[pebe]

You could try an accelerometer like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-MMA7660-Th ... 4ab8108e02

It gives outputs on three axes although you only need one. But who cares? It's cheap anyway.

There is an output due to gravity when the chip is at rest, which will be sinusoidal through 360º. The output is digital so is easily measured with a micro to give the detection you want.

[wfrench]

Ahh thanks, I had been looking down that route, where could I start in trying to design a circuit? are there schematics of existing systems/tutorials?

Will

[pebe]

I Googled for application notes and this is one that came up.

http://resenv.media.mit.edu/classes/MAS ... mx-001.pdf

It looks to be a good starting point.