Using piezoresistive nanowire technology, licensed from CEA-Leti, Tronics has manufactured the first piezoresistive nanowire 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) inertial MEMS device. On a chip less than 4 mm2, both triaxis accelerometers and triaxis gyroscopes have been fabricated. While this was the initial batch for this design, the company is encouraged and will continue its […]
Motion
Motion Tracking Targets Always On Wireless Applications
Announced at CES 2014, the InvenSense ICM-20628 system on chip (SoC) boasts the world’s highest performance and lowest power fully autonomous 6-axis motion tracking solution. The single-chip design combines industry-leading gyroscope and accelerometer specifications with InvenSense third generation digital motion processing and algorithms while consuming less than 2mW. New features of the sensor include: Self-calibration […]
Google’s Acquisition of Hardware Supplier Advances IoT Connectivity
With Google Inc’s announcement of its plans to acquire Nest Labs Inc, the Internet of Things (IoT) received a tremendous boost. Nest Labs makes smart thermostats and smoke alarms that have a high degree of connectivity. The Nest Protect smoke alarm uses six sensors: photoelectric smoke sensor, carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, heat sensor, light sensor, […]
Sensors Support Smart Bra
Just when you thought that you’ve heard just about every smart prefixed term possible, a new one appears. This time it is based on research reported by engineers at Microsoft Research, University of Rochester and University of Southampton about what is being called a smart bra. Instrumented with an electrocardiogram (EKG) sensor to capture heart […]
Sensors + Sensor Fusion + Hub = Low-power Solution
Rather than connect sensors directly to an application (app) processor, a sensor hub provides a means to offload processing from the app processor to improve data processing and reduce power consumption. For its KMX61G Micro-Amp Magnetic Gyro, Kionix partnered with microcontroller supplier Atmel. Kionix’ KMX61G sensor fusion software runs on Atmel’s 32-bit AVR UC3 and […]
Robotics Webinar: The Challenges of Robotic Design
Certainly one of the challenges of robotic design is the choice and number of sensors. For example, ClearPath Robotics’ TurtleBot 2, a lab robot platform, has a 3D vision sensor, bumper sensors, a factory-calibrated gyro, encoders for position and velocity feedback and the Microsoft Kinect sensor as well as user connectors to power more sensors. […]
Performance Increased for 3-axis MEMS Accelerometer
In addition to a large full-scale range of up to ±18g combined with high bandwidth, STMicroelectronics’ newest 3-axis MEMS accelerometer boasts low noise, and high mechanical and thermal stability. Combining high data rate with low-noise operation, the LIS344AHH enables monitoring of small-amplitude displacements. The full-scale, user-selectable range up to ±6g or ±18g provides improved performance […]
Transitioning Real-Time Motion Into Animation
At Sensors Expo 2013, Chris George, an R&D programmer from YEI Technologies, explains and demonstrates the sensing technologies and process involved in transitioning real-time motion into animation. The demo rates Sensor Tips’ Randy Frank’s Top 3 Award. To watch the video, click here. For more information about YEI Technology, click here. http://videos.designworldonline.com/video/Transitioning-Real-Time-Motion
Military Grade IMU with 6DOF
MEMSENSE military grade MX Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) targets dynamic control systems, such as unmanned aerial systems or short range missiles and rockets. The 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) unit supports sample rates up to 800 Hz through an RS422 serial protocol. The IMU’s 2.000 x 1.110 x 0.645 inch package includes triaxial accelerometers, gyroscopes […]
Optical Encoder Fits in Small Spaces, Offers Several Features
If you have to make motion feedback measurements in a small space and can’t sacrifice resolution, a new encoder system from RSF Elektronik, a subsidiary of HEIDENHAIN Corporation may be the answer. The MS 14 encoder optical encoder’s small size allow it to be installed as a direct mechanical replacement to other encoder brands by […]