Piezo film sensor for footstep detection

Community Chit Chat
1

Hi,

I’m currently looking into detecting footsteps on a wooden floor using piezoelectric sensors and recording the output as audio.

After some research it seemed like a cantilever piezo film sensor might be suitable. I have ordered a few of these (MiniSense 100, LDTM-028K).

I’m wondering if there is a optimal way to mount these sensors to maximise vibrational transfer. At the moment I have soldered the sensors to small PCBs and have the PCBs attached to the floor with adhesive tape. I’m amplifying the signal with jfet preamps. I’m finding that footsteps around 6” from the sensor are barely registering above the noise floor.

Any advice on mounting these sensors, or even suggestions for other sensors that might be more suitable, would be much appreciated!

Thanks

2

This type of sensor needs to be able to bend to work and I’m not sure footsteps are going to be able to provide enough deflection in your floor to do that. You might consider switching to a different piezo like a [piezo disc and attaching that to the floor. Make sure that only the metal side is bonded to the floor and nothing is touching the other side of the piezo.](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10293)