Looking for the latest news about position sensors? Sensor Tips is your source for up to date information on position sensor technology for a variety of a industries and applications. Browse the articles below and get your news today.

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.

Robot Provides Virtual Presence at 2012 CES (Pt 2)

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Alexandra Dopplinger, a marketing manager at Freescale Semiconductor explains the capability of a remote robot that she controls from her location in Ottawa, Canada. 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.

To link to part 1, click here.

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.

Sensing in the 2012 Fisker Karma

At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Russell Datz from Fisker Automotive explains how sensing improves the driving experience in the Fisker Karma extended-range electric vehicle to Sensor Tips’ Randy Frank. In addition to the temperature and current sensing in the 20.1 kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack, sensors are found in many other places inside and outside of the vehicle.

To watch the video, click here.

For more information about all the other attributes of the Fisker Karma, 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.

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