Accelerometers and vibration sensors are closely related, with vibration sensors often utilizing accelerometers for their functionality. The primary distinction lies in their firmware and signal processing; accelerometers focus on detecting acceleration, while vibration sensors are designed to analyze vibrations specifically. Older vibration sensors measured position or velocity, whereas modern sensors typically employ MEMS accelerometers to capture high-rate acceleration data. These devices use digital signal processing to filter out irrelevant noise, focusing on the frequencies pertinent to vibration detection. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting the appropriate sensor for applications like monitoring pump vibrations.