Ice-surface Profilometry with Millimeter Vertical Resolution over 10's of Meters Using a MEMS Inclinometer

Abstract

We describe a new application of MEMS based inclinometers to indoor ice resurfacing and leveling. Simple integration of incline values produces a surface profile with mm level precision over the length of the ice rink. A proof of concept (POC) system was created incorporating a MEMS inclinometer and using an image-based method to provide a highly accurate measure of horizontal displacement despite the low-friction surface. This combination of low-cost sensors, high precision profilometry over large distances, and a surface agnostic measure of absolute displacement means the approach is attractive for many applications beyond ice leveling.