At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Eric Zorich, CEO of Diesel Dogs describes how a three-axis accelerometer and three-axis gyroscope are used to provide a set of Smart Weights. The software in the design allows users to properly exercise and obtain the maximum benefit from a workout. The concept placed […]
Position
Nine-Axis MEMS Motion Sensing
At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, David Borison of InvenSense demonstrates the capabilities of nine-axis motion sensing using the company’s newly introduced MPU-9150 nine-axis (gyro + accelerometer + compass) MEMS MotionTracking device. The multi-axis sensor incorporates MotionFusion and run-time firmware that simplifies motion sensing in end products. To further simply […]
Sensing in an Armband Health Monitor
Nick Wilson of BodyMedia discusses the sensing and capabilities of the company’s two health monitoring devices at the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. To watch the video, click here. For more information about BodyMedia FIT Armbands, click here.
Sensing in the 2012 Fisker Karma
At the 2012 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Russell Datz from Fisker Automotive explains how sensing improves the driving experience in the Fisker Karma extended-range electric vehicle to Sensor Tips’ Randy Frank. In addition to the temperature and current sensing in the 20.1 kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack, sensors are found in many […]
Accelerometer Helps Archers Hit the Mark
When new products are introduced, manufacturers like to identify other potential applications beyond the one used to drive product development. Mounting an accelerometer on an arrow tip to provide ballistic measurements to evaluate bows probably was not on any accelerometer manufacturer’s list. However, that is what Full Flight Technology does to improve high-performance archery. Using […]
Smallest Sensor Week: Dual-Axis Digital Accelerometer Boasts Smallest Packaging
The second of this week’s small sensors is the world’s smallest and most robust digital accelerometer from MEMSIC Inc. Using patented MEMS thermal technology manufactured with a standard 0.18 µm CMOS process and advanced wafer- level packaging (WLP), the MXC6226XC two-axis digital accelerometer fits within a 1.2. x 1.7 x 1.0 mm package. Per the company’s […]
Vibration Energy Harvester Powers Train Sensors
Trains provide a sustainable source of vibration energy to power sensors, at least while they are moving. Testing has shown that the vibration spectra generated by train wheels was sufficient to allow Perpetuum’s energy harvester to generate 10s of mW of electrical energy – a level sufficient to power sensors to monitor the condition of […]
Sense Acceleration with a 2 x 2-mm Package
Sensing acceleration in a space-constrained end product may result in the tradeoff of another feature if the accelerometer takes too much space. To avoid the conflict, STMicroelectronics introduced three-axis accelerometers in 2×2 mm packages. The tiny sensors have a quite a few features of their own. With full-scale ranges of ±2g/±4g/±8g/±16g, the LIS2DH and LIS2DM […]
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 […]
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 […]