STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM)
, the leading supplier of MEMS for consumer and portable applications(1), today
introduced a unique 3-axis digital gyroscope that employs a single sensing structure
for motion measurement along all three orthogonal axes(2). This innovative design
approach significantly increases accuracy and reliability in motion-controlled
consumer applications, paving the way to previously unseen levels of realism.
Whereas existing 3-axis gyroscope solutions rely on two or three independent
sensing structures, even if mounted on the same silicon substrate, ST's breakthrough
concept of sensing all three axes with a single driving mass eliminates any
interference between the axes that inherently affects and degrades the output
signal. Furthermore, the innovative architecture has allowed ST engineers to
house the sensor and the ASIC interface inside an ultra-small 4x4x1mm package,
addressing the size constraints of today's and tomorrow's consumer applications.
"Over the past 18 months, ST has announced a new gyroscope almost every
month, following an aggressive roadmap of increasing performance and reliability,
coupled with dramatic reductions in size," said Benedetto Vigna, Group
Vice President and General Manager of the MEMS, Sensors and High Performance
Analog Division, STMicroelectronics. "Our innovative 3-axis digital gyroscope
represents a true leap forward in ST-led consumerization of MEMS sensors, enabling
major improvements in ever more popular motion-sensing user interfaces inside
game controllers and mobile phones."
ST's 3-axis digital gyroscope offers a wide set of user-programmable full-scale
ranges from +/- 250 dps(3) up to +/- 2000 dps, with the low full-scale values
for high accuracy of slow-motion sensing and the high range to detect and measure
very fast gestures and movements. The device provides a 16-bit data output,
together with additional embedded digital features, such as configurable low-
and high-pass filters, and boasts excellent output stability over time and temperature.
The L3G4200D 3-axis MEMS gyroscope with digital output has been designed and
produced using the same manufacturing-process technology that ST has already
successfully applied to more than 600 million motion sensors sold in the market.
Volume production is scheduled for the end of Q2 2010 and the unit price is
$2.9 in quantities greater than 200,000 pieces.
For further information on ST's complete MEMS portfolio go to www.st.com/mems.