Accurate Schematization and Simulation of an Accelerometer Using MATLAB/Simulink: A Comparative Study

Accurate modeling and simulation of accelerometers are critical for the development and validation of avionics systems, where precise inertial measurements are essential for navigation, guidance, and control. This study presents a comprehensive approach to the schematization and simulation of an aeronautical accelerometer using MATLAB/Simulink. A detailed physical and mathematical model of a capacitive MEMS-based accelerometer is developed, capturing both mechanical dynamics and electrical signal processing. Multiple simulation architectures are constructed to evaluate different levels of model complexity and fidelity. Comparative analyses are performed between simplified linear models and high-fidelity nonlinear representations to assess trade-offs in computational efficiency and accuracy. Simulation results are validated against benchmark performance data, focusing on key performance metrics such as sensitivity, bandwidth, noise characteristics, and transient response. The findings highlight the importance of model fidelity in high-precision applications and provide guidelines for selecting the appropriate modeling approach based on system requirements. This work contributes to the testing processes of flight control systems by offering a validated simulation framework that supports detailed performance analysis of aeronautical accelerometers.