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.

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.

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.

Silicon MEMS Gyro Takes on Fiber Optic Gyros

Mechanical gyroscopes use a top-like mechanism spinning at high speed to detect angular position and provide high precision but at a high price. In contrast, fiber optic gyros (FOG) have minimal moving parts and offer high precision as well with a medium to high-end pricing. Sensonor Technologies’ STIM210 gyro module targets both designs with low bias error over temperature, a bias instability of 0.5⁰/h and low noise of 10⁰/√h. Operating over a temperature range of -40 to +85⁰C, the MEMS-based gyro is insensitive to magnetic fields and has no intrinsic wear-out mechanisms.

For more information about Sensonor Technologies’ STIM210 MEMS gyro module, click here.

Small Vibration Monitor Delivers Exceptional Low-noise Performance

A vibration monitor can prevent a myriad of problems – if it can fit within the monitored system’s space constraints and has the right performance. For noise sensitive applications with limited space, Analog Devices’ ADIS16228 iSensor vibration monitor could be that solution.

An embedded programmable processor in the MEMS-based vibration analysis system provides directional sensing and spectral analysis to identify and classify specific sources of vibration.

The noise performance of the 3-axis vibration monitor is specified at only 248 µg/ √Hz, across a dynamic range of ±18g, and the unit is configurable to ranges of 0 g to 1 g 0 to 5 g/, 0 to 10 g and 0 to 20 g.

Footprint and pin-for-pin compatible with the ADIS16210, the ADIS16228 has an extended operating temperature range of −40°C to +125°C.

For more information about Analog Devices ADIS16228 vibration monitor, click here.

A Gyroscope Design for Automotive Electronic Stability Control Systems

Three-Axis Digital Gyroscope Targets Consumer and Portable Applications

Today’s advancements in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensor technology can mean new levels of performance and reliability in specific applications. An example is STMicroelectronics newest 3-axis digital gyroscope that provides high sensing resolution with high immunity to audio noise and vibrations. Housed in a 4x4x1 mm package, the L3GD20 is immune to both mechanical vibrations coupled through the printed circuit board and to audio noise, such as from speakers mounted close to the sensor that can easily occur in consumer and portable applications.

With user-programmable full-scale ranges from ±250 dps up to ±2000 dps, the low full-scale values provide high accuracy of slow-motion sensing and the high range can detect and measure very fast gestures and movements. The gyro has a 16-bit data output with additional embedded digital features, including configurable low- and high-pass filters. Operating over supply voltage range of 2.4 to 3.6V, the sensor includes power-down and sleep modes as well as an embedded FIFO (first-in first-out) memory block for smarter power management.

With these added capabilities, the new gyroscope is pin-to-pin adaptable and software-compatible with the current-generation L3G4200D gyroscope.

For more information about STMicroelectronics L3G420 three-axis digital-output gyroscope, click here.

New Conference Addresses Smart Sensors Technology Industry

The inaugural SENSORS Tech Forum will be held October 10-12, 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel, Boston Massachusetts.  Focusing on sensors and sensor-based systems, the conference targets Product and System Design Engineers providing 32 conference sessions with four separate tracks: Aerospace, Defense and Harsh Environment; Optics and Imaging; Smart Sensors; and Wireless Technology/Sensor Networking and Integration.

In addition to the technical conference and exhibit, the forum includes all-day pre-conference session on Monday, October 10 that will address MEMS-Enabled High Volume Commercialization Opportunities. Organized by well-known sensor and MEMS industry expert,and marketing consultant, Roger Grace of Roger Grace Associates, the pre-conference session will have presentations from representatives of leading international companies who are bringing new and unique MEMS technologies to the market that will address quickly emerging application opportunities.

For more information on the SENSORS Tech Forum, click here.

Sensor Market Grows with Consumer and Automotive Demands

Market research firm Databeans forecasts the sensors and MEMs market to reach $19.1 billion by 2016 with a 10% compound annual growth rate. Driven by strong growth trends in consumer and automotive applications, the consumer segment is forecasted to increase to $853 million by the end of 2012 and automotive to $203 million. Different forces are impacting the growth in the two market segments.

In automotive, U.S. regulations requiring Electronic Stability Systems (ESC) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) in every production vehicle provide a guaranteed increase. However, other systems such as powertrain also require increased sensors as well.

For consumer applications, growing demand for smart phones and tablet PCs that have gyroscopes, accelerometers, touch sensors, GPS, and magnetic field sensors has made consumer the largest market for sensors.

For more information about Databeans market tracker report “Q3-2011 Sensors and MEMS”, click here.

A Single-Chip Passive IR Temperature Sensor

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