IoT sensor module delivers high integration out of the box

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

TDK Corp. now offers worldwide availability of the InvenSense SmartBug  IoT sensor module. Leveraging TDK’s MEMS sensors and algorithms as well as partner technologies, this small, all-in-one wireless multi-sensor solution can be used in a variety of commercial and consumer IoT applications. One of the key features of the out-of-the-box solution is that it enables easy access to smart sensor data without the need for programming, soldering, or extra modifications.

So what’s in the box? The all-in-one sensor module, measuring 36.6 × 50 × 18 mm, integrates six sensors, a wireless (Bluetooth Low Energy) Arm Cortex M4 microcontroller, seven algorithm-driven features, and a rechargeable battery (290 mAh) in a ladybug enclosure. It also provides an optional add-on board that includes a Wi-Fi module, an SD card slot, and an optional TDK ultrasonic sensor.

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The sensors include TDK’s six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) (gyroscope + accelerometer) with magnetometer, pressure, temperature, humidity, and (optional) ultrasonic sensors. The high-precision algorithms include sensor fusion, HVAC filter monitoring, asset monitoring, gesture detection, activity classification, air mouse monitoring, and smart door open/close detection.

InvenSense partners with Nordic, AKM, Sensirion, and Espressif Systems to provide the complete sensor solution. These components include the following:

• Nordic Semiconductor’s latest low-power MCU with BLE 5.2 acquires multi-sensor data from the SmartBug and runs all supported algorithms. It enables high-quality streaming of smart sensor data via both USB and BLE. Unique features include OTA FW upgrade and support for add-on cards with SD card logging and ultrasonic sensors.
• Espressif Systems’ Wi-Fi chip expands the wireless data streaming and logging capabilities to higher throughput (up to 2 kHz) and longer ranges.
• AKM’s magnetometer enables multiple features, including compass data collection, nine-axis sensor fusion for accurate orientation heading, and magnetic anomaly detection for asset-monitoring applications.
• Sensirion’s humidity and temperature sensor is used for data streaming and logging and humidity and temperature-based events for asset-monitoring applications.

In particular, Sensirion’s integrated SHTC3  digital humidity and temperature sensor, housed in a 2 × 2 × 0.75-mm³ package, is optimized for battery-driven applications with an energy budget of less than 1 μJ per measurement and high-volume consumer electronics. Leveraging Sensirion’s CMOSens technology, the integrated sensor offers a complete sensor system on a single chip. The sensor covers a humidity measurement range of 0% to 100% RH and a temperature measurement range of −40°C to 125°C with a typical accuracy of ±2% RH and ±0.2°C. The supply voltage range is 1.62 V to 3.6 V.

The SmartBug module offers remote monitoring via both BLE and Wi-Fi and provides autonomous SD card data logging up to 32 GB for IoT applications with large data volumes. The data and outputs can be visualized, streamed, and recorded on a Windows 10 application, SmartBug, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store  for free.

The solution can be used for a variety of IoT applications ranging from wearables and hearables to robotics and asset monitoring, as well as all kinds of smart devices, including smart door lock detection, smart homes, and smart appliances. The SmartBug IoT sensor module is available through TDK’s distribution partners, including Arrow, Avnet, Components Distributors Inc. (CDI), Digi-Key, Mouser, and Symmetry.