In today’s supply chain situation, this has to be among the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). However, even under what may have been considered normal times prior to COVID-19, it still is a legitimate FAQ. Tracking shipments that are critical or essential may allow more expensive tracking solutions but if the cost is reasonable, many […]
Accelerometer
PIGAs can indeed fly – and are still the best, Part 2: Operation
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer and widely used in rocketry and guidance, and still the best – but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. At the core of each single-axis PIGA is a gyroscope. The performance of this gyro – which is unrelated to the orientation gyros – plays a large role in determining the […]
PIGAs can indeed fly – and are still the best, Part 1: Frame of reference
The PIGA is the oldest accelerometer, is widely used in rocketry and guidance, and is still the best – but MEMS-based devices are getting closer. When you see an inexpensive drone, a more sophisticated one, an unmanned aircraft, a standard piloted aircraft, guided or intercontinental ballistic missile ICBM), an underwater drone or submarine, or a […]
What sensors are used in today’s and tomorrow’s HVAC systems? Part 1
When Willis Carrier designed a system of fans, ducts and perforated pipes, which became the first modern electric air conditioner (AC) in 1902 (120 years ago), sensing was not part of the bill of materials. Devon Brock, Manager of Product Knowledge and Training, Sensors Group at TE Connectivity provides some insight into subsequent AC systems. […]
What sensors are in a smart cane? Pt 2
Inspired by self-driving vehicles and robotics, the Augmented Cane developed by Stanford University researchers uses a LiDAR sensor to measure distance to nearby obstacles and then provide directions so blind or visually impaired users can navigate around those areas. Additional sensors in the research prototype include GPS, accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes to monitor the user’s […]
How has sensing changed in industrial automation? (Part 1)
The Industrial Revolution or what we might call Industry 1.0 started over 250 years ago. In 1771 Richard Arkwright, today known as Father of the Factory System, used water to power the first fully automated spinning mill. One hundred years later, the automotive assembly line initiated the Second Industrial Revolution or Industry 2.0 with significantly […]
Six-axis MEMS motion sensors features supreme vibration rejection, temperature stability
TDK Corporation announced the availability of the InvenSense ICM-45xxx SmartMotion ultra-high-performance (UHP) family of 6-axis MEMS motion sensors. This family introduces the on-chip self-calibration, industry’s lowest power consumption, and world’s first BalancedGyro™ (BG) technology. BalancedGyro technology by TDK is the first-of-its-kind gyroscope MEMS architecture that enables supreme vibration rejection and temperature stability performance, an enhancement […]
Three-axis gyroscope/accelerometer combo is automotive qualified
TDK Corporation announces the availability of InvenSense IAM-20680HT high temperature automotive monolithic 6-Axis MotionTracking sensor platform solution for non-safety automotive applications, which includes the IAM-20680HT IMU MEMS sensor and the DK-20680HT developer kit. The IAM-20680HT embeds a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer in a thin 3 x 3 x 0.75mm (16-pin LGA) package and […]
MEMS DC accelerometer chips optimized for low-g work
Silicon Designs, Inc. announced the global market launch of its Model 1525 Low-G Series of MEMS DC accelerometer chips, with stock quantities now available for immediate customer shipment. The Silicon Designs Model 1525 Low-G Series is designed to offer reliable, accurate, and repeatable low-frequency (including seismic) vibration and acceleration measurements within a variety of inertial- […]
TDK releases Tronics AXO315 force-rebalance digital MEMS accelerometer at distribution partners
TDK Corporation announces that Tronics AXO315, a miniature high-performance 1-axis closed-loop digital MEMS accelerometer, is now available for purchase at Digi-Key, Mouser, and Farnell and its affiliates Newark and Element 14. The AXO315 sensor and its Arduino-based evaluation kit are now available globally from the three distributors’ websites. AXO315 is a ±14 g range, in-plane […]
