LAUSR

This paper demonstrates a methodology, exploiting a low-cost levitation architecture, for the implementation of a highly sensitive inertial sensor to measure displacement and acceleration. The system uses a graphite tile suspended over four NdFeB magnets and a differential inductive readout strategy to implement the sensing mechanism. The main claims of the developed sensor are related to the levitation mechanism, which leads to a suitable responsivity and resolution for the device. Moreover, the passive inductive sensing strategy allows for static displacement measurement, which is a unique feature in the field of levitating systems. The mechanical decoupling between the graphite sensing element and the inductive readout electronics is another interesting characteristic of the device enhancing the device reliability and life time, since the low-cost sensing element (the graphite tile) can be easily replaced if damaged. It is also worth considering that the inductive sensing strategy has been realized by a low-cost technology. The device has been characterized as a short-range accelerometer and displacement sensor. The responsivity and the resolution in these two operating modes are (1.17 V/m/s², $1 \times 10^{-4}$ m/s²) and (0.61 V/mm, $1.9 \times 10^{-4}$ mm), respectively.