Tactical grade gyroscopes typically use fiber optic technology (a fiber optic gyro or FOG) to produce a higher performance level than an industrial grade product. With its ADIS16136 tactical grade iSensor® digital MEMS gyroscope, Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) provides 3.5°/hr typical bias stability and ±450°/Sec angular precision. This tactical level performance comes in a matchbox-sized […]
Featured
Battery Sensor IC Boasts New Features
Vehicle electrification efforts such as start/stop systems put addition strain on the battery. To keep the battery in optimal condition, system designers need to measure and monitor the battery’s state of health (SOH), state of charge (SOC) or state of function (SOF). ZMD AG’s ZSSC1856 Intelligent Battery Sensor IC performs these functions and more. The […]
Miniature Triaxial Accelerometer in 6.3-mm Cube
Measuring acceleration or vibration in small spaces poses problems for applications such as small component qualification, structural vibration and environmental stress screening. PCB Piezotronics, Inc., new miniature Integrated Circuit – Piezoelectric or ICP triaxial accelerometer addresses these space-constrained applications. With a 6.3 mm (0.25-in) cube form factor, the Model 356A03 delivers 10 mV/g sensitivity. Other […]
Silicon Temperature Sensor Provides ±0.5° Accuracy and 12-bit Resolution
Applications require high accuracy over a variety of temperatures, such as thermostats (-20 to +45°C), personal computers (+85°C) and industrial/automotive (+125°C), have a solution with Microchip Technology’s MCP9808 silicon temperature sensor. The sensor’s ±0.5° accuracy and 12-bit resolution are among its system-oriented features. The 12-bit Resolution provides 0.0625°C for the least significant bit in a […]
Electric Field-Based Sensor Detects Movement
Applications in security, switching and gaming have a new option for detecting movements with Plessey Semiconductors newest Electric Potential Integrated Circuit (EPIC) sensors. The company’s initial product addressed ECG products for the health monitoring markets. In contrast, the PS25401 was engineered for higher volume applications and can be used in both proximity mode or to […]
Report Forecasts Inertial Combo Sensor Growth
Based on the increasing penetration of more motion sensing into mobile devices and automotive safety system, Yole Developpement predicts healthy growth for the inertial sensor market for consumer and automotive applications. While microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology enables the design of these sensors, Yole says that most of the value is in ASIC, packaging, test & […]
Low-Power, High-Accuracy Instrumentation Amplifier with On-Chip Calibration
Surprisingly, with all of the system technology that Microchip Technology offers, it never had an instrumentation amplifier. With the introduction of the MCP6N11 instrumentation amplifier, that has changed. The design uses Microchip’s mCal technology, an on-chip calibration circuit that enables low initial offset voltage and a means to control offset drift. This results in higher […]
MEMS IMU Delivers 10-Degree-of-Freedom Capability
Today, there are several sources for six degrees of freedom (DoF) sensors. However, when 6DoF is not enough, the newest solution from Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) may be the answer. The ADIS16488 is a 10-DoF sensor that integrates a tri-axis gyroscope, tri-axis accelerometer, tri-axis magnetometer and a pressure sensor into a single package. Based on […]
Spindle Error Analyzer Addresses Micro Measurement
Lion Precision has been measuring machine-tool spindle thermal growth and error motions in multiple axes for over ten years. To address the increasingly stringent requirements for micro-machining in precision tools, the company adapted its technology to target smaller scale measurements. The micromachining Spindle Error Analyzer (SEA) uses smaller versions of the noncontact probes, probe mounts, […]
Applying MEMS Inertial Technology to Reduce Injuries
Analyzing athletes’ reaction to the extreme physical requirements of their sport leads to improved performance and avoids injuries. For competitive rowing, Roessingh Research & Development (RRD), a Netherlands research center, uses the Xsens MVN system developed by Xsens Technologies B.V. for its kinematics analysis. The Xsens MVN system is a motion capture solution that consists […]
