Kistler’s recently announced Type 8640A accelerometer is an Integral Electronics Piezoelectric (IEPE) unit that has an IEEE TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) option. Besides weighing only 3.5 grams, the 0.394 x 0.394-inch sensor has an integral 10-32 connector and a 5-40 UNC-2B stud mount as part of its hermetically-sealed, welded titanium housing. The internal ceramic […]
KEYENCE Laser Displacement Sensor Provides Fast Sensing
KEYENCE LK-G5000 Laser Displacement Sensor uses a newly developed RS-CMOS sensor to provide a sampling rate of 392 kHz – eight times faster than previous models. With ±0.02% Full Scale Linearity and 0.01µm repeatability, the sensor also has several additional capabilities. ABLE (Active Balanced Laser Control Engine) II balances laser emission time, laser power and […]
Honeywell Zephyr Digital Airflow Sensors Provide 2.5% Accuracy
Using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sense die and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for signal conditioning and interfacing, Honeywell’s Zephyr Digital Airflow Sensors achieve 2.5% accuracy. The fully calibrated and temperature compensated HAF Series are available in standard flow ranges of ±200 SCCM and ±1000 SCCM. The MEMS design has thermally isolated heater and […]
Connect Sensors in Point-to-Point Systems Easily with ZMD Dev Tool
Depending on the system, different sensor interfaces are required. For example, in automotive applications, Controller Area Network (CAN) or Local Interconnect Network (LIN) are common networks for communicating sensor data. However, the SAE J2716 SENT (for Single Edge Nibble Transmission) protocol has been developed and companies have started to introduce products that meet it. In […]
Software Simplifies Motion Sensing
Motion sensing is one of the hottest sensing areas. Using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based accelerometers and gyroscopes, systems designers are adding motion sensing to smart phones and other handheld products, as well as games, movies and even medical applications. To simplify the use of its MEMS sensors, Kionix has developed a software engine called Gesture Designer. […]
Meggitt Sensing Systems Ultra-small Triaxial Accelerometer
Measuring acceleration in a very small form factor can pose significant challenges. In addition to the right performance capability, the packaging and connectivity as well as the weight of the accelerometer must not interfere with the measurement. Designed for these types of measurements, Meggitt Sensing Systems’ Endevco model 35A ISOTRON triaxial accelerometer with its integral […]
IC Insights Says Image Sensors will Grow 31% in 2010
With growth of 31% in 2010, image sensor devices will reach a record high of $8.5 billion in 2010 according to a new report from IC Insights. Driven by applications for CMOS-based devices, that are projected at 61% of sales, the remaining 39% will come from charge-coupled devices (CCDs). The increased demand is expected from […]
Automotive MEMS Sensor Forecast from iSuppli
Microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensors are used extensively in automotive applications but like everything else automotive, 2009 was not a good year. Richard Dixon of iSuppli forecasts that global shipments of automotive MEMS sensors will reach 591.2 million units in 2010, up 13.5% from 502.0 million in 2009. The second half will be up from the first […]
Yole Developpement Forecasts Growth for MEMS & Sensors in Smartphones
At mid-year 2010, it’s time for market research companies to reaffirm or reevaluate their positions and forecasts for 2010. Here is the first of three newly released reports that involve sensors. In the report “MEMS & Sensors for Smartphones,” Yole Developpement predicts double digit growth for MEMS & sensors for cell phones, expanding from $3.5B […]
2010 Embedded Systems Conference Chicago Exhibitor: Microchip Technology Touch Screen Sensing
Held in conjunction with Sensors Expo, I found an interesting sensor application in the exhibits at the 2010 Embedded Systems Conference Chicago. Cassandra Backus from Microchip Technology explained the company’s mTouch projected capacitive touch (PCT) screen sensing technology. With a higher resolution than resistive technology, the PCT approach has found its way into many of […]
