Problems with angle estimation using ADXL345

Hi

I'm currently using the ADXL345 3-axis accelerometer (part of the 6DOF IMU, incl ITG-3200 Gyro) to sense the pitch and roll angles.

Syntax:

acc_angle[0] = atan2(acc_g[0],acc_g[2]) * 180 / PI;
acc_angle[1] = atan2(acc_g[1],acc_g[2]) * 180 / PI;

where acc_g[0] = x-axis gravitational reading (g)
acc_g[1] = y-axis gravitational reading (g)
acc_g[2] = z-axis gravitational reading (g)

The above code makes use of the gravitational readings (g) of the accelerometer to measure the angular tilt. It works fine, however when the z-axis of the accelerometer goes parallel with the ground (ie. acc_g[2]=0), the readings goes bonkers. I figured it's because of the trigo mathematics using atan2 then causes it when acc_g[2]=0.

Any ideas on how to solve this problem?

Hi,
the atan2 function should return 1.570 = PI/2 when the second argument is zero.

Define "bonkers"

I'm using that sensor for measuring angular tilt, pitch and roll. I use this:

roll = (atan2(xg,sqrt(ygyg+zgzg)) * 180.0) / PI;
pitch = (atan2(yg,sqrt(xgxg+zgzg)) * 180.0) / PI;

the reading goes bonker too, when Z axe is parallel with floor...

how ddi you get a solution?

Define "bonker".