Motion Sensors from STMicroelectronics Spearhead MEMS Consumerization

ST��s new 3-axis motion sensors represent a significant step forward in the product’s miniaturization. Developed in-house, the 3x3x0.9mm plastic package effectively addresses the space and weight constraints of portable electronic devices. The LIS331 accelerometers deliver high performance at low power consumption and their ultra-compact robust design provides very high immunity to vibration and shock survivability up to 10,000g.

ST’s ‘nano’ motion sensors are suitable for a wide range of low-g applications in the consumer and industrial markets, including motion user interfaces in mobile and gaming devices, free-fall detection for hard-disk data protection, and vibration monitoring and compensation in white-goods appliances.

ST’s LIS331DL integrates a standard SPI/I2C digital interface and a host of smart embedded features, including click and double-click recognition, wake-up and motion detection, high-pass filters, and two dedicated highly programmable interrupt lines.

Click and double-click recognition allows manufacturers to associate simple tapping gestures with user commands, such as turning a portable device ON or OFF, opening a document, browsing an application menu, or muting a ringing mobile phone without taking it from the pocket.

The configurable high-pass filters can be turned on to enable motion-activated functions and vibration monitoring regardless of whether the end product is tilted or placed upside down at the moment of measurement.

Two separate, highly programmable interrupt signals enable immediate notification of motion detection and click/double-click events, giving manufacturers more freedom and flexibility in their design and applications.

The analog-output LIS331AL provides individual acceleration values for all three (x, y, z) axes. The sensor offers a full-scale output range of ±2.0g, high temperature stability and tight offset tolerances. It incorporates built-in self-test capability that allows the customer to verify the functioning of the sensor after it has been assembled on board.

“The consumer and industrial markets are hungry for flexible and reliable motion sensors that enable novel and friendly user interfaces and features,” said Benedetto Vigna, General Manager of ST’s MEMS Product Division. “ST’s new family of miniaturized low-g accelerometers provides complete flexibility of outputs and rich embedded functionality that simplify device integration and allow equipment manufacturers to shorten their time-to-market. Leading manufacturing technology with an 8-inch MEMS high-volume production line and complete supply chain control, enable us to reduce unit costs and accelerate both the expansion of current applications and the development of new MEMS markets.”