A tiny 3 x 3 x 1 mm package provides the home for a 3-axis accelerometer and a 32-bit microcontroller (MCU). Part of an approach that Freescale Semiconductor calls its Xtrinsic sensing solutions, the MMA9550L addresses both the sensing and computing needs of the rapidly proliferating touch sensing applications. As if this wasn’t enough, the package also […]
Customizable Energy Harvesting Development Kit
Microchip and Cymbet have combined forces to offer what is being called the world’s first customizable energy harvesting development kit. The XLP Kit uses Microchip’s PIC24F16KA102 microcontroller with eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology and Cymbet’s EnerChip EH Eval-08 Energy Harvesting Board. The EH board converts solar to electrical energy and stores it in an EnerChip […]
Humidity and Temperature Sensor Qualified to Automotive AEC-Q100 Requirements
Many environments require special qualification testing to prove that the product can withstand more than usual application requirements. This can include Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or in the case of automotive, the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC). Sensirion’s SHT21 humidity and temperature sensor has passed rigorous AEC Q100 qualification testing. The capacitive type […]
Kistler Single-Axis IEPE Accelerometer Weighs in at Just 3.5 Grams
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 […]
