Position Sensors for Medical Applications

Medical OEM applications, such as surgical table positioning can benefit from position sensors designed for wear-free operation. ASM Sensors PRAS20/PRAS21 series are magnetic rotary sensors that offer wear-free capability. The non-contact position sensors use an external position magnet to provide an absolute output signal over a 0 to 360-degree measurement range.

Key parameters for the sensors include:

• Resolution is rated at 0.03 % of full scale (60…360°) and 0.1 % full scale (15…45°)
• Repeatability is ±0.03 % (60…360°); ±0.1 % (15…45°)
• Linearity is ±0.5% full scale.

The smaller of the two units, the PRAS21 series housing has a height of less than ¼ inch. With an IP60 rating like the PRAS20, it fits into tight medical equipment applications.

For more information about ASM Sensors PRAS20/PRAS21 series, 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.

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.

MEMS IMU Delivers 10-Degree-of-Freedom Capability

Today, there are several sources for six degrees of freedom (DoF) sensors. However, when 6DoF is not enough, the newest solution from Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) may be the answer. The ADIS16488 is a 10-DoF sensor that integrates a tri-axis gyroscope, tri-axis accelerometer, tri-axis
magnetometer and a pressure sensor into a single package. Based on microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology, the four different sensors not only fit into a 66.04x 64.77×14-mm package, they provide high performance and stability.

With bias stability of less than 10 degrees/hr), other inertial measurement unit (IMU) parameters include:

• Triaxial, digital gyroscope with digital range
  scaling,  ±450°/sec dynamic range
• Triaxial, digital accelerometer, ±18 g
• Triaxial, delta-angle and delta velocity outputs
• Triaxial, digital magnetometer, ±2.5 gauss
• Digital pressure sensor, 300 mbar to 1100 mbar

For more information about Analog Devices ADIS16488 10-degree-of-freedom sensor, click here.

STMicroelectronics’ Three MEMS Sensors Provide 10 DoF

If a single MEMS sensor is good, a system that provides 10 degrees of freedom (DoF) should be an order of magnitude better.

The three ST MEMS sensors include a geo-magnetic module, a gyroscope, and a pressure sensor. With these sensors, a consumer device can provide a complete indication of its linear acceleration, angular velocity, earth gravity, heading and altitude. The sensors provide three axes of linear motion, three axes of angular motion, three axes of magnetic motion and an altitude axis resulting in ten degrees of freedom (DoF).

In a 3 x 5 x 1mm package, the LSM303DLHC geo-magnetic module integrates three-axis sensing of linear and magnetic motion.

In a 4 x 4 x 1-mm package, the L3G4200D three-axis digital gyroscope provides output accuracy and stability over temperature and time.

While it is only available now in the 10-DoF sensor solution for evaluation, the pressure sensor provides the altimeter portion of the system. In a 3 x 3 x 1-mm package, the device has an operating pressure range of 260 – 1260 millibars. This corresponds to the atmospheric pressures between -700 and +10000m relative to sea level.

DC Transducers for Current Applications up to 400A

The DCT series of DC current transducers combines a Hall Effect sensor and signal conditioner into a single package for use in DC current applications up to 400A. Designed to be compatible with most PLCs, data loggers and SCADA systems, the DCT series features jumper-selectable current input ranges and industry standard 4-20 mA or +/- 10 VDC outputs. For example, the 400A DCT400-42-24-S has  0-200A, 0-300A or 0-400A jumper-selectable input ranges.

Split-core or fixed-core models are available.

For more information on DC current transducers, click here.

Motion Sensor Market Growing 20.3% Annually

All those accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses and in mobile and gaming applications add up quickly. In fact, in the new report “Motion Sensors for Consumer & Mobile Applications,” Yole Developpement researchers expect 2009’s sales of $847M to reach $2.56B in 2015 – a 20.3% annual growth rate. Yole projects that many applications will employ 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope combined into a single package within 2015. Compasses (magnetometers) now popular in handsets will add gaming and digital still cameras (DSC) for advanced geo-tagging to the list of applications driving their usage. Over 50 companies targeting these applications will make the product offerings quite interesting and competitive.

For more information on the Yole Developpement report “Motion Sensors for Consumer & Mobile Applications,” click here.

Using Integrated Giant Magnetoresistance Sensors for EVs and HEVs

At the SAE Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium in Anaheim, CA, Dusan Gravoc, senior manager and Head of Product Marketing for Infineon Technologies AG shows how an iGMR sensing IC can replace incremental encoders and resolvers in electric and hybrid vehicles. Infineon’s TLE5012 is housed in a small SO-8 package that targets integration in electrically commutated motors.

To see the video, click here.

For more information on Infineon’s TLE5012 iGMR sensor, click here.

Measuring Hydraulic Cylinder/ Actuator Travel and Tank Level

While many sensors, especially those based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, get increasingly smaller, some measurements dictate the need for a large or sufficiently long sensor. This is the case when measuring the position of moving machine parts in applications such as paper and pulp mills, injection molding machinery, turbine blades and process level management. These are the types of applications addressed by a new series of sensors from Macro Sensors. The MLW Series of Long Stroke Linear Position Sensors are designed for highly accurately absolute position measurement of displacements up to 1.2 meters.  

The sensors use magnetostrictive technology and operate by transmitting a current pulse through a tube that is reflected by a moveable permanent magnet.  The output signal is based on a time of flight measurement by the sensor that determines the position of the magnet on the tube. 

For more information about Macro Sensors MLW Series of Long Stroke Linear Position Sensors, click here.

Motion Sensing Monitors Swimming Activity

Using motion sensing technology, FINIS Swimsense Performance Monitor automatically detects and distinguishes stroke types, and records the number of laps swum, total distance, calories burned, lap time, pace and stroke count. The monitor fits in a watchband form factor and uses accelerometers, magnetometers and patent-pending proprietary algorithms to identify the user’s swim. The swimmer simply uploads swim data to the Swimsense Training Log to analyze distance, calories, different stroke types, pace, stroke count and SWOLF (swimming efficiency) score. Designed for fitness enthusiasts and recreational swimmers to elite swimmers and triathletes, they can view their current workout while they swim and up to 14 past workouts/swims on the Swimsense monitor

For more information about FINIS Swimsense Performance Monitor, click here.

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