Experts predict that gas meters are poised to undergo the same change as electricity meters for smarter, remote meter reading. In response, STMicroelectronics and Omron have collaborated to provide a complete solution for electronic gas meter flow sensors. The design uses an Omron transducer and a companion analog front-end chip developed by ST. The resulting […]
Highly Integrated MEMS-Based Motion Sensing
Motion sensing is at the heart of several new features in consumer products including cell phone, tablet PCs and games. InvenSense has been a major player in these applications but its newest product family makes motion sensing even easier to design and manufacturer. MPU-6000 product family integrates a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer on […]
High Temperature Pressure Sensor Targets Gas Turbine Monitoring
Most pressure sensors are offered in plastic packages and operate in a maximum ambient temperature of 125°C or less. Monitoring the pressure of a gas turbine requires a totally different approach. IMI Sensors Series 176 pressure sensors use a stainless steel housing and piezoelectric sensing technology to tolerate the extreme heat environment (+986°F, +530°C) generated […]
Three-dimensional Hall Encoders for Industrial Apps
Austriamicrosystems is developing a portfolio of 3D Hall products for automotive and industrial applications. The 3D HallinOne magnetic encoder family provides absolute and highest resolution angular or linear output data. The AS540x series uses two “pixel-cells” in a differential mode to guarantee robustness against all possible external influences like stray magnetic fields. In addition, the […]
MEMS Sensing in Airbag Systems
LVDT Position Sensors Target Elevators
In elevator applications, Macro Sensors Spring Loaded LVDT position sensors measure the spring deflection as a result of the load. The sensors’ springs compress as an elevator is loaded with passengers to ensure that both cars and building floors properly align for each floor. Depending upon the elevator manufacturer, sensors are mounted either under or […]
15-mm3 Package Contains MEMS Vibration Analysis System
Analog Devices just simplified the lives of industrial equipment designers who are tasked with implementing a vibration analysis system. Building on their MEMS accelerometer expertise, ADI has introduced the ADIS16227 iSensor, a tri-axial, digital vibration monitor that combines its iMEMS sensor, data conversion and sensor processing technologies with data capture and a serial peripheral interface […]
An Update on MEMS Sensors
Kionix New Gyros Target Consumer Apps
With analysts’ expectations of a $1.04B market by 2014, it is no surprise that Kionix has applied its MEMS expertise to consumer gyroscopes. The company offers both digital and analog versions of its dual-axis KGY12 and tri-axis KGY13. The 16-bit digital outputs (I2C and SPI) have a measurement range of ±2048°/sec. Analog outputs are available […]
Oops! Accelerometer Targets Drop Tests and More
Meggitt Sensing Systems Endevco model 7287 piezoresistive accelerometer weighs less than one gram. However, the accelerometer is not a light-weight when it comes to testing applications. The sensor targets the measurement of long duration transient shocks found in product and packaging drop testing, shipping container shock testing, jack hammer testing and high-g destructive testing. The […]
