SMA Strong Motion Accelerograph
The Gecko SMA is an all-in-one triaxial strong-motion accelerograph using MEMS accelerometer technology, built for structural health monitoring and near-field blast monitoring.
- Range
- ±2g, ±5g, ±10g and higher, up to ±400g full scale
- Output
- Continuous MiniSEED data to SD card
- Supply
- ~1W power draw (car-battery-sized lead-acid battery gives ~1 month backup)
Overview
In detail
How it works
The Gecko SMA uses MEMS technology accelerometers designed to detect large levels of ground motion that may cause structural damage, with full-scale ranges of ±2g, ±5g, ±10g and higher, up to ±400g. It is only slightly noisier than a standard 4.5Hz geophone but with a much greater full-scale range, making it well suited to near-field blast monitoring.
Data & configuration
Data is stored continuously, streamed onto an SD card in MiniSEED format and organised into year/month/day/hour folders that are easily browsed on any PC. A standard LCD and keypad offer full configuration in the field without a PC.
Connectivity
The Gecko SMA draws around 1W of power, so a lead-acid battery of similar size to a car battery provides about a month of backup power. All Gecko models have dual alarm outputs, and external Ethernet, WiFi or cellular modem modules are available to stream data to ESS's free Streams software, which archives and displays data in real time, can be viewed remotely via the web, and can send email alerts on user-set thresholds.
Installation
Installation is simple: a bolt goes right through the middle of the SMA. The rock anchor, drill bit/punch, and lock nut needed to mount the threaded rod into the ground are included.
Specifications
Technical specifications
- Range
- ±2g, ±5g, ±10g and higher, up to ±400g full scale
- Sensor type
- MEMS triaxial accelerometer (East-West, North-South, Up-Down)
- Output
- Continuous MiniSEED data to SD card
- Supply voltage
- ~1W power draw (car-battery-sized lead-acid battery gives ~1 month backup)
- Connectivity
- Ethernet, WiFi, or cellular modem options; dual alarm outputs
Downloads
Documentation, openly available
Everything you need to specify, install and integrate the SMA Strong Motion Accelerograph — no login, no paywall.
Related
Often specified alongside
- Range
- ±4g accelerometer range
- Storage
- Local SD card, continuous ring buffer
- Connectivity
- Ethernet or cellular modem telemetry (optional)
- Flat response
- 2 to 500 Hz (0.5 seconds to 500 Hz)
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