PicoQuake: USB Vibration Sensor

Overview:

PicoQuake is a MEMS accelerometer vibration sensor designed to profile a wide range of vibrations. It can capture everything from very low-frequency movements (tall buildings, bridges), to high-frequency vibrations in the kilohertz range (motors, industrial machinery).

Key features:

• Wide frequency range: Suitable for both low and high-frequency vibration monitoring.
• Accessible: A cost-effective alternative to traditional industrial vibration sensors, which often require proprietary hardware and software.
• Standalone device: Connects directly to your computer (Linux, Mac, Windows) via USB.
• Open-source integration: Interfaced through an open-source Python driver, providing a command line interface (CLI) and an API for easy integration and customization.

Specs

• Accelerometer ranges: ±2 g, ±4 g, ±8 g, ±16 g
• Gyro range: up to ±2000 dps
• Sample rate: 12.5 Hz to 4000 Hz
• Configurable low pass (second order) filter: 42 Hz to 3979 Hz
• IMU sensor: ICM-42688-P
• Connectivity: USB 2.0 Full Speed 12 Mbps CDC via USB Type-C
• Power requirement: 5 V, 50 mA
• Cable length: 2.0 m
• Dimensions: ⌀30 mm x 13 mm

Noise performance

PicoQuake can be used to profile vibrations of very low magnitude, due to the low-noise accelerometer used. We evaluated the noise performance of a stationary PicoQuake at room temperature for two configurations:

• Low noise configuration (500 Hz sample rate, 42 Hz filter, ±2 g range)
  • X axis noise: < 0.5 mg RMS
  • Y axis noise: < 0.5 mg RMS
  • Z axis noise: < 1.2 mg RMS
• Fastest sample rate, highest range (4 kHz sample rate, 2 kHz filter, ±16 g range)
  • X axis noise: < 2.0 mg RMS
  • Y axis noise: < 2.5 mg RMS
  • Z axis noise: < 3.0 mg RMS

Scope of delivery

• PicoQuake device with attached 2 m USB-C cable
• Releasable zip tie
• Zip tie adapter