Wireless Triaxial Accelerometer with Low Power Consumption and High Sampling Frequency for Real-Time Monitoring

This work presents the ongoing development of a low-power wireless triaxial accelerometer designed by Lind Engineering for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications. We have had the experience of implementing various infrastructure monitoring projects, either using well known international technology brands for sensor equipment and data acquisitions, and integrating them into instrumentation cabinets. However, the field working constraints and hurdles, for connecting into the power grid on mining sites, cabinet mounting and cabling, equipment transport among others have pushed us into developing our version for a wireless accelerometer. In addition, well-known international brands have shown to be unreliable on field deployment. The main objective is to provide adaptable technological capabilities for diverse company projects. Additionally, the project aims to scale the technology toward the development of nationally manufactured instrumentation where the Raspberry Pi directly interfaces with the ADXL355Z accelerometer, achieving high sampling rates and reliability comparable to high-end international systems, but at a significantly lower cost. In Chile, structural monitoring projects are still restricted to pilot test on bridges and special structures in diverse industries, o more broadly implemented in mining industry. When implemented, often operate under limited budgets or as part of broader infrastructure or research initiatives. Within this context, the proposed development not only addresses Lind Engineering’s internal needs but is also intended for use by other stakeholders in the field, including academic institutions. The project stages includes: (1) maximizing the operating frequency of the selected sensor, (2) integrating stage 1 with a commercially available data acquisition system, (3) incorporating control systems and IoT communication hardware, (4) developing and integrating power supply hardware, and (5) encapsulation with technological maturity (TRL 6), for further validation within Lind clients. A subsequent phase foresees the development of dedicated acquisition hardware to further optimize performance and reduce costs, though this is beyond the current scope. At present, efforts focus on maximizing the sensor’s sampling frequency and configuring its operating ranges at ±2 g, ±4 g, and ±8 g critical for dynamic analysis of structures exposed to high-frequency vibrations, such as railways, bridges, mining facilities, docks, and other critical infrastructure. Tests have shown the sensor can record signals up to 2000 Hz, far exceeding the target minimum of 125 Hz. The design ensures mechanical and environmental robustness for field applications, with a minimum IP67 rating for dust and moisture resistance. Data access protocols such as FTP, SFTP, and others are included to enable integration with real-time visualization platforms, including Lind Engineering’s integrated monitoring system, ensuring interoperability with current and future systems. In summary, the project strengthens Lind Engineering’s technological capabilities in innovation and applied electronics, while offering a scalable, cost-effective, and high-impact solution for structural monitoring of critical infrastructure.