Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 1)

Ned Semonite, vice president of products at VGo Communications explains the company’s robotic telepresence product at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. Freescale’s pressure sensors and accelerometers are used in the design of the robot as well as proximity sensors to detect stairs or potential collisions and a camera to view the surroundings in the remote location.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about VGo products and services, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s acceleration sensors, click here

and pressure sensors, click here.

Nine-Axis Sensing Enables Games and Augmented Reality

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Frank Melzer, CEO of Bosch Sensortec demonstrates 9-axis sensing using a combined accelerometer and eCompass magnetometer with the company’s newest 3×3-mm triaxial gyroscope, the BMG160. The 9-degree of freedom sensing combined with an imaging system and additional software enables augmented reality. In addition, Melzer explains the use of a MEMS pressure sensor in a smart phone.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about Bosch Sensortec MEMS sensors here or

Gyroscope, click here.

To Your Health: 3-Axis Accelerometers and Gyroscopes Provide Feedback

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Eric Zorich, CEO of Diesel Dogs describes how a three-axis accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope are used to provide a set of Smart Weights. The software in the design allows users to properly exercise and obtain the maximum benefit from a workout. The concept placed as a top 3 finalist in “The 2011 Innovation World Cup” sponsored by the Bluetooth SIG. The MEMS sensors in the company’s demonstration prototype were supplied by Freescale Semiconductor.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about Diesel Dogs’ Smart Weights, click here.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s three axis accelerometers and three axis gyroscopes, click here.

Nine-Axis MEMS Motion Sensing

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, David Borison of InvenSense demonstrates the capabilities of nine-axis motion sensing using the company’s newly introduced MPU-9150 nine-axis (gyro + accelerometer + compass) MEMS MotionTracking device. The multi-axis sensor incorporates MotionFusion and run-time firmware that simplifies motion sensing in end products. To further simply the design-in process, a development dongle is available.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about InvenSense MPU-9150, click here.

Sensing in an Armband Health Monitor

Nick Wilson of BodyMedia discusses the sensing and capabilities of the company’s two health monitoring devices at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about BodyMedia FIT Armbands, click here.

Accelerometer Helps Archers Hit the Mark

When new products are introduced, manufacturers like to identify other potential applications beyond the one used to drive product development. Mounting an accelerometer on an arrow tip to provide ballistic measurements to evaluate bows probably was not on any accelerometer manufacturer’s list. However, that is what Full Flight Technology does to improve high-performance archery. Using Analog Devices’ ADXL346 3-axis digital accelerometer, Full Flight Technology’s Velocitip Ballistic System continuously measures arrow drag in flight to provide downrange performance data. Instead of being limited to point of impact information, the continuous measurement capability of the arrow-mounted system quickly and easily identifies factors important to improving arrow design and downrange performance.

For more information about ADI’s ADXL346 3-axis digital MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) accelerometer, click here.

Smallest Sensor Week: Dual-Axis Digital Accelerometer Boasts Smallest Packaging

The second of this week’s small sensors is the world’s smallest and most robust digital accelerometer from MEMSIC Inc. Using patented MEMS thermal technology manufactured with a standard 0.18 µm CMOS process and advanced wafer- level packaging (WLP), the MXC6226XC two-axis digital accelerometer fits within a 1.2. x 1.7 x 1.0 mm package.  Per the company’s analysis, this makes it approximately 50% smaller than competitive products.

The two-axis digital accelerometer can measure acceleration over a ±2 g range with an absolute  0g offset of less than ±50 mg as well as can detect four orientation positions and provide shake detection. The company’s thermal accelerometer technology uses no moving internal structures, so the accelerometer exhibits extremely high shock survivability (up to 50,000g).

For more information on the MEMSIC MXC6226XC two-axis digital accelerometer,
click here.

Vibration Energy Harvester Powers Train Sensors

Trains provide a sustainable source of vibration energy to power sensors, at least while they are moving. Testing has shown that the vibration spectra generated by train wheels was sufficient to allow Perpetuum’s energy harvester to generate 10s of mW of electrical energy – a level sufficient to power sensors to monitor the condition of wheel bearings.

Optimized to deliver the highest power output from vibration frequencies between 30Hz – 60Hz that are typical to the rail industry, Perpetuum’s PMG Rail operates in the temperature range from -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F) and has factory programmed voltage outputs from 3V – 10V.

Other monitoring and sensing applications for the PMG RAIL products include:

- Bearing Monitoring

- GPS Location Tracking

- Hazardous Cargo Monitoring (Temperature, Pressure, “Door Open”)

- Wheel Condition Monitoring (Flats, Cracks)

- Derailment

- Braking System Monitoring

For more information about Perpetuum’s PMG RAIL products vibration energy harvesters, click here.

Sense Acceleration with a 2 x 2-mm Package

Sensing acceleration in a space-constrained end product may result in the tradeoff of another feature if the accelerometer takes too much space. To avoid the conflict, STMicroelectronics introduced three-axis accelerometers in 2×2 mm packages. The tiny sensors have a quite a few features
of their own.

With full-scale ranges of ±2g/±4g/±8g/±16g, the LIS2DH and LIS2DM accelerometers include 4D/6D orientation detection and two programmable interrupt signals for motion detection, free fall and other conditions. The sensors also incorporate power saving features to improve battery life in portable applications that include power-down and sleep modes and a FIFO (first-in first-out) memory block for smarter power management.

The difference between the two sensors is the LIS2DH has more programmable sensitivity adjustments, a typical zero-g offset accuracy of ±40 mg versus ±100 mg for the LIS2DM and higher self-test output capabilities.

For more information about STMicroelectronics LIS2DH and LIS2DM triaxial accelerometers, click LIS2DH or LIS2DM.

Miniature Triaxial Accelerometer in 6.3-mm Cube

Measuring acceleration or vibration in small spaces poses problems for applications such as small component qualification, structural vibration and environmental stress screening. PCB Piezotronics, Inc., new miniature Integrated Circuit – Piezoelectric or ICP triaxial accelerometer addresses these space-constrained applications. With a 6.3 mm (0.25-in) cube form factor, the Model 356A03 delivers 10 mV/g sensitivity.

Other features of the piezoelectric sensor include a hermetic seal design with a low noise floor and high shock limit as well as a redesigned cable strain relief connection to provide improved shear and tensile strength. The CE certified 356A03 is compatible with any ICP signal conditioner or readout device that includes ICP power.

For more information about PCB Piezotronics Model 356A03 triaxial accelerometer, click here.

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