Tri-axial accelerometers are half the size of previous devices

Tri-axial accelerometers are half the size of previous devices

The LIS2DH and LIS2DM ultra-low-power, high-performance three-axis MEMS accelerometers come in 2 x 2 x 1-mm packages, reducing the footprint by a factor of 2 over current-generation three-axis devices, Consuming as little as 2 µA in normal operating mode, the units enable motion sensing on smaller and sleeker gadgets than currently available, as well as mobile phones, tablets, and gaming controls that can run longer.

Both devices provide highly accurate outputs across user-selectable ranges of ±2, ±4, ±8, and ±16 g, and have an embedded temperature sensor to ensure excellent stability over temperature (0.01%/°C). The LIS2DM has a sensitivity of 16 mg/digit in low-power mode in the ±2 g range, and the LIS2DH has a high-resolution mode with sensitivity as low as 1 mg/digit in the same range.

The sensors have 4D/6D orientation detection and two programmable interrupt signals that enable immediate notification of motion detection, free fall, and other conditions. The units also feature power-down and sleep modes, a FIFO memory block for smarter power management, software-compatibility with the company’s current 3-axis accelerometers, and a self-test function that allows functional verification at the board level. (LIS2DH, $1.05 ea / 1,000; LIS2DM, $0.98 ea / 1,000 — available now.)

By Richard Comerford

STMicroelectronics , Lexington , MA
Information 781-861-2650
www.st.com