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 […]
Accelerometer
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, […]
Flying Object Delivers Video Images
It is always interesting to see how combinations of sensors enable intriguing new product designs. The MeCam from Always Innovating is a prefect demonstration. Fitting into the palm of your hand, the MeCam has a video camera and 14 sensors. An advanced auto-pilot and a unique spatial location algorithm allow the nano copter as the […]
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 […]
User-Control for Accelerometer Power and Noise
Battery-powered applications of accelerometers require the lowest power consumption for increased battery life. However, getting the lowest noise is also important to obtain desired performance. For standard accelerometer products, manufacturers always have these values set at predetermined levels. Kionix Inc. now provides flexibility for users of its latest accelerometers, including the KX022 (2x2mm) and KX023 […]
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 […]
Accelerometer’s Vibration Sensing Capability Monitors Automated Machines
In automated machinery, the fans, motors, pumps, compressors, centrifuges, conveyers, air handlers, gearboxes, rolls, dryers, and presses, can all benefit from vibration monitoring for early failure warnings to prevent downtime. Hansford Sensors HS-109 Series vibration sensor is a triaxial accelerometer designed to address these applications. Intended to be used both offline and as a permanently […]
Dual-axis Tilt Sensor uses MEMS Accelerometer and Gyroscope
What do concrete and asphalt pavers, curb and gutter machines, tiling/trenching machines, pile-driving machines and railroad maintenance applications all have in common? They all have harsh operating environments and they need level sensors. With these and other leveling, angle sensing and tilt applications in mind, Sauer-Danfoss developed the PLUS+1TM-compliant CSS1000 slope sensor. For each axis, […]