STMicroelectronics launches the world's smallest and most accurate positioning solution-EEWORLD

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STMicroelectronics, a semiconductor manufacturer and supplier of MEMS components for portable applications, has launched a complete hardware solution with 10 degrees of freedom (DoF). The new solution is specially developed for advanced sensing applications and consists of three thin, high-performance MEMS sensors that can provide accurate and complete linear motion, angular velocity and magnetic field motion data as well as altitude readings, enabling stronger navigation functions and smart user interfaces for mobile phones and other portable devices.

Emerging mobile consumer electronics applications, such as location-based services, indoor pedestrian dead reckoning, and multi-floor navigation, require more sensitive sensing capabilities. Through ST's three MEMS sensors (magnetic module, gyroscope, and pressure sensor), consumer electronics devices can receive complete information such as linear acceleration, angular velocity, ground attraction, heading, and altitude, providing mobile device users with accurate 3D location anytime and anywhere, even in high-rise cities or mountains and jungles, without being affected by the disappearance or weakening of GPS satellite signals. To

enable smart consumer electronics devices to receive complex motion sensor data more quickly and smoothly, ST recently launched the industry's first advanced filtering and predictive software engine that integrates the output data of 3-axis accelerometers, 3-axis gyroscopes, and 3-axis magnetometers. By integrating the output data of sensors through complex algorithms, the iNEMO™ engine can significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of sensors, meeting the accuracy and reliability requirements of next-generation smart consumer electronics manufacturers in realizing a large number of new motion-based applications.

"Multi-sensor capabilities enhance the user experience of mobile devices, enabling unprecedented realism and accuracy in next-generation motion- and position-based products," said Benedetto Vigna, Vice President of MEMS, Sensors and High-Performance Analog Products at STMicroelectronics. "ST continues to lead the industry and application of MEMS by integrating multiple sensors into mobile phones, navigation systems and other consumer electronics products with its leadership in MEMS components, software, design and manufacturing technologies."

Designed and manufactured using the same micromachining process that has shipped more than 1.2 billion ST sensors, ST's MEMS chips offer advantages such as small size, low power consumption, high accuracy and high reliability. This three-chip sensor solution with 10 degrees of freedom integrates the following components:

LSM303DLHC Geomagnetic Module :
Integrates high-resolution three-axis linear motion and three-axis geomagnetic motion sensors in a 3 x 5 x 1mm package with a minimum power consumption of only 110µA. It provides extremely high sensing accuracy over the full range of ±16g (linear acceleration) and ±Gauss (magnetic field). In addition, the module has a built-in temperature sensor and a programmable first-in, first-out (FIFO) memory block; it has advanced features such as 4D/6D direction detection and two programmable interrupt signals that can immediately notify detected motion, free fall and other conditions.
L3G4200D three-axis digital gyroscope :
This product uses an ultra-small 4 x 4 x 1mm package and has industry-leading output data accuracy, time and temperature stability. Equipped with 16-bit data output and a user-settable range of ±250dps to ±2000dps. The chip's built-in FIFO memory block solves the problem of continuous communication between the sensor and the main processor, greatly reducing overall power consumption.

STMicroelectronics' upcoming pressure sensor chip: uses a 3 x 3 x 1mm high and thin package; through its innovative technology, it can provide extremely high pressure and height measurement resolution. The pressure range is 260-1260 millibar, which is equivalent to the air pressure from -700 to +10,000 meters above sea level, and can detect altitude changes as small as 0.3 meters.

ST's 10-degree-of-freedom hardware solution has been delivered to customers for evaluation and is expected to be put into mass production at the end of the third quarter of 2011.

So far, ST's MEMS sensors have enabled motion-controlled user interfaces for popular game consoles, smartphones, and remote controls. In addition, ST's accelerometers are widely used by computer manufacturers for free fall detection to protect the hard drives of notebook computers. ST's MEMS sensor shipments exceeded the 1 billion mark in November 2010, and its world's first 8-inch MEMS production line has a daily output of more than 2 million chips.

Keywords：LSM303DLHC L3G4200D Reference address：STMicroelectronics launches the world's smallest and most accurate positioning solution

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