Smallest Sensor Week: Dual-Axis Gyroscopes Boast Smallest Packaging

With a 3 x 3 x 0.75-mm form factor, InvenSense Inc. lays claim to the world’s smallest dual-axis gyroscopes. Targeting optical image stabilization (OIS) in smartphones, the IDG-2020 is an x-y (roll and pitch) and the IXZ-2020 is an x-z (roll and yaw) dual-axis MEMS gyroscope.

Features in the gyroscopes designed specifically for OIS requirements include the ability to have a factory full-scale output of ±32 degrees per second (dps) for the highest sensitivity to detect the slightest hand jitter, high-performance 32kHz ADC sampling, a nominal drive frequency of 27kHz that makes the gyroscopes immune to interference from audible frequencies such as music or ambient noise, a high speed 20-MHz SPI serial interface, and more.

For more information about InvenSense IDG-2020 and IXZ-2020 dual-axis gyroscopes, 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.

Inclinometer Packaged To Be Compact, Ideal For OEM Applications

Automated Control Engineering is the exclusive national supplier of the newest ASM product. ASM has introduced its smallest addition to the POSITILT® inclinometer series that is available in single and dual axis versions. By using MEMS technology, this new inclinometer PTAM20 series is packaged into a very compact, flat housing making it ideally suited for OEM applications.

The measurement range for the single axis version is available from +/- 15° to +/- 180°, in increments of 15°. For the dual axis version, the measurement range is available from +/- 15° to +/- 60°, in increments of 15°. The resolution is 0.05° and the linearity is up to +/- 0.5°. Several analogue output types are available that include: 0.5-4.5 V, 0.5-10 V and 4-20 mA. Each version offers high shock resistance and is rated IP60 which is suitable for many instrumentation functions.

Dual Axis Inclinometer Sensor

Minneapolis, Minn.—TURCK introduces a new dual axis inclinometer sensor for angular tilt detection. These sensors feature compact rectangular housings and may be mounted at ±10, ±45, ±60 and ±85 degree angles. Inclinometer sensors may be used in a wide variety of industries to solve unique feedback requirements where the customer needs to level platforms, control tilt angle or control a dancer.

The new TURCK inclinometer measures angular tilt in reference to gravity. At the heart of the TURCK inclinometer is a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) device, which incorporates a micro-electro-mechanical capacitive element into the sensor that utilizes two parallel plate electrodes, one stationary and one attached to a spring-mass system. Movement causes acceleration that produces deflection in the non-stationary electrode. This results in a measurable change in the capacitance between the two plates that is proportional to the angle of deflection. These signals are conditioned to provide two analog outputs (0.1 to 4.9 VDC) or two current outputs (4 to 20 mA).

The microboard design in the MEMS technology allows for a compact, precise inclinometer in a very robust, industrialized package. The inclinometer is IP 67 rated, with a temperature range of -30 to 70° C that permits its use in many applications, including:

* Machine engineering: levers, pedals, flaps, mixing machines, hydraulic jacks
* Commercial machines: diggers, cranes, rotary tables, bulldozers, road construction machinery
* Vertical and horizontal drills used in tunnel and road construction and immersion equipment
* Offshore plants: platforms, cranes
* Furniture: hospital beds, dental chairs, fitness machines, wheelchairs
* Conveyors

www.turck.us