Minimal MEMS modules make consumer electronics more flexible

     STMicroelectronics has announced an inertial sensor module that integrates triaxial acceleration and angular velocity sensors in a 3x5.5x1mm miniature package. The new product is a six-degree-of-freedom iNEMO sensor module, nearly 20% smaller than ST's existing products, and brings advanced motion sensing capabilities to today's space-constrained consumer electronics applications (such as smartphones, tablets and other portable electronic devices), enabling device manufacturers to create electronic products with slimmer and sleepier designs.

     In addition to space savings, the new iNEMO module features advanced design and real-time integration of sensor data to enhance the consumer experience and motion-sensing reality. The design of the module ensures that the reference axes of the two sensors are precisely aligned and have excellent thermal and mechanical stability, while ST's iNEMO Engine data integration software uses predictive filtering algorithms to automatically correct measurement distortions and deviations.

     The LSM330D multi-sensor module has a user selectable 2-16g acceleration range and can simultaneously measure pitch, roll and yaw axis angular speeds from 250dps to 2000dps. To address power limitations in battery-powered portable devices, the new sensor module integrates both power saving modes of off and sleep, with two built-in first-in, first-out (FIFO) storage blocks, one for each sensor, to improve intelligent power management. In addition, the product's operating voltage range is 2.4V to 3.6V.

     The new iNEMO sensor module is fully compatible with ST's latest 3-axis digital accelerometer (LIS3DH) and gyroscope (L3GD20), so customers who currently use ST's single-function sensors can easily upgrade their product designs, reduce board size, reduce the number of external components, and reduce overall system complexity.