PNI Sensor: Low-power sensor fusion coprocessor makes design easier

The SENtral sensor fusion coprocessor from PNI Sensor presents a highly effective way to pull in data from complex motion sensor systems with gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer sensors that are often found in mobile and wearable devices. The device offloads complex sensor algorithm processing from a main CPU and takes only a few hundred microamps while doing so. It will consume only about 1% of the power a standard CPU needs to perform the task.

The IC can handle the job of managing and “fusing” data from these multiple sensors with a nine-axis sensor fusion algorithm, further unburdening the CPU. And, the chip improves accuracy and eases the design task with “constant calibration.” The chip is only 1.6 x 1.6 x 0.5 mm, and it works over –40° to 85°C. What’s not to like about this chip?