Three-axis accelerometer saves space in portables
Two-chip MEMS sensor stands only 0.8 mm high and provides direct digital output
Said to be the thinnest triaxial accelerometer, the 0.8-mm-thick MEMS-based MMA7450L motion sensor comes in a 3 x 5-mm-footprint plastic LGA package77% smaller than competing deviceswhich lets designers pack portable devices with more features in less space. Further, the two-chip 14-pin device’s digital output permits direct connection to MPUs and MCUs, simplifying the design of handhelds that offer user interfaces based on hand movements as well as appliances that require movement, acceleration, or tilt sensing.
Enabling motion-based functions such as tilt scrolling, gaming control, tap-to-mute, and HDD-freefall protection, the sensor can communicate on both I2 C and SPI interface buses, eliminating the need for a dedicated A/D converter. The buses also let the sensor share interfaces with other devicesa further space-saverand connect directly to a wireless platform.
Embedded features—such as offset calibration and threshold and pulse/click-detecteliminate the need for additional external memory. The g-select feature lets designers tailor sensor sensitivity to the application by set the maximum detection level to 2, 4, or 8 g, with 64 -SB/g sensitivity at max-g rating.
Capable of working from a 2.4 to 3.6-V source, the sensor draws only 400 μA in operation and 5 μA in standby, and can survive shocks to 10,000 g. ($2.66 ea/10,000available 3rd qtr; $35 evaluation board and $99 reference board available now.)
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