/> Most of the latest mobile phone models are equipped with GPS, enabling the use of features such as current location indicators and navigation applications. Moreover, an increasing number of models are being fitted with added-value entertainment capabilities including motion applications that operate by waving, tilting or other swinging manipulations of the mobile phone unit.

Bringing these kinds of features to fruition necessitates sensors that detect the direction in which the user is moving, the tilt of the mobile phone and the speed of the tilt itself.

Thanks to its ability to detect geomagnetism in three axes, the HSCD Series is a geomagnetic sensor equipped with not only an electronic compass function, but also an angular velocity detection function. In electronic compass mode, stable directional detection accuracy is achieved by utilizing magnetic elements within the proprietary structure created by ALPS.

Furthermore, entertainment applications increasingly require the detection of angular velocity, which measures the angle of motion and operating speed. For that reason, consideration was given to a gyro sensor, but that still left the challenge of making the gyro more compact for installation in small portable devices and reducing energy consumption.

By processing data detected on three-directional geomagnetic axes using proprietary software developed by ALPS, the HSCD Series realizes an angular velocity detection function through triangulation, namely a gyro function. Combining these angular velocity detection and electronic compass functions in a single package reduces the size of the mounting area, as fewer components need to be installed, and lowers power consumption.

It is envisaged that the HSCD Series will be installed in a variety of compact devices, and thus resistance to external interference has been improved by building ALPS’ proprietary shield structure into its sensor element. As the number of functioning components increases in such products as mobile phones, and as progress continues in making circuit boards more compact, it is becoming easier for geomagnetic sensors to be affected by parts that generate magnetic fields, such as speakers. The proprietary shield, however, minimizes the effects of the magnetic fields emanating from other components.