At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Juha Lahtinen of VTI Technologies demonstrates the capabilities of the company’s newest three-axis, low power (2.5 mA) gyroscope, the CMR3100, as well as sensor fusion capabilities. VTI’s Sensor Fusion is a 9-axis 6 DOF solution for Android devices. To watch the video, click here. […]
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Smoke Detector IC Boasts Programmability
Ionization smoke detectors have been around for more than 25 years. Microchip Technology’s RE46C180 ionization smoke-detector IC shows that there is always room for improvement. In addition to being the first with horn synchronization and auto alarm locate, the IC has programmable calibration and programmable feature selection. Programmable calibration reduces component counts and simplifies setting […]
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 […]
Smallest Sensor Week: Dual-Axis Gyroscopes Boast Smallest Packaging
With a 3 x 3 x 0.75-mm form factor, InvenSense Inc. lays claim to the world’s smallest dual-axis gyroscopes. Targeting optical image stabilization (OIS) in smartphones, the IDG-2020 is an x-y (roll and pitch) and the IXZ-2020 is an x-z (roll and yaw) dual-axis MEMS gyroscope. Features in the gyroscopes designed specifically for OIS requirements […]
Smallest Sensor Week: Smallest 3-Axis Digital Gyroscope
With microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology and semiconductor packages, sensor manufacturers compete to cram the most technology into the smallest package. This week, Sensor Tips will highlight products that the manufacturer says is the world’s smallest. Without performing the extensive research necessary to verify the claims, we’ll take their word for it. Users can take advantage […]
Paper and Carbon Nanotubes Combined to Detect Explosive Devices
Targeting the detection of explosives, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), researchers at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) have developed a prototype sensor that uses carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for the sensing element. The wireless component, a resonant lightweight antenna, is printed on paper or paper-like material using standard inkjet technology. Researchers think the low-cost sensors […]
MEMS Gyroscope Provides Tactical Grade Performance
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 […]
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 […]
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Sensors for Continuous Submerged Water Applications
Wastewater treatment processes that use aerobic bacteria to break down organic compounds in sewage and aquaculture operations require measuring dissolved oxygen (DO) to maintain effect ecosystems. For these and other applications that need to measure DO, Sensorex developed its DO6400 and DO6441 Process Dissolved Oxygen Sensors. Both sensors use galvanic cell technology and a large […]
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 […]
