Energy-efficient 3-axis accelerometer with rich embedded features enables faster, more deliberate motion detection.
Barcelona, Spain– Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the latest in motion-sensing technology to enhance today’s mobile connected experience. The new MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) based MMA8450Q accelerometer speeds gesture recognition and orientation detection, improving the accuracy and response time of many other user interface controls through multiple embedded features for the next generation of motion control.
Each embedded function provides a high level on configurability to ensure customers can utilize the feature to meet their product requirements. A power-efficient sensor, the MMA8450Q also extends battery life for high-performance smart mobile devices and enhances user interfaces with more sensitivity that captures precise movement.
The MMA8450Q accelerometer is designed for the next generation mobile devices, such as smartphones and smartbooks, that are required to deliver an ideal blend of performance, portability and battery life to consumers. Freescale featured the three-axis digital sensor in its smartbook tablet design, debuted at CES, for smarter motion and orientation detection and essential energy-savings that can extend the smartbook’s battery life.
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According to a recent iSuppli report, the MEMS market is expected to reach $8.3 billion by 2012, up from $5.6 billion in 2006. “Despite the deep cuts in consumer spending on major electronics and mobile products, the MEMS industry continues to thrive in mobile handsets and consumer devices,” says Jérémie Bouchaud, director and principal analyst, MEMS, for iSuppli.
“A number of factors drive the success of MEMS sensors, including the desire for intuitive motion-based interfaces in mobile devices and providing rich and realistic experiences.”
The high-resolution MMA8450Q sensor features 12-bit digital resolution along with highly configurable embedded functions such as orientation, tap, double tap, jolt, freefall and shake to implement complex and precise motion detection – contained in a compact, 3 x 3 x 1 mm package. It features intelligent data management capabilities, with an internal first-in/first-out (FIFO) 32-samples/axis (X-, Y- and Z-axis) memory buffer that improves overall system power savings and response time by offloading functions from the host processor.
Using the FIFO buffer along with the embedded functions can allow the end processor to only analyze the required data while, at the same time, protecting from the possibility of data loss when multiplexing other sensors on the same I2C bus. Configurable power saving modes and auto-wake/sleep capability helps designers achieve optimal current consumption. The high configurablility for each of the embedded functions that can be tied to the autowake/sleep function can enable context aware products for more power efficiency.
“Only 3 percent of mobile phones contained an accelerometer in 2007, but thanks to advances in MEMS technology and consumer demand for enhanced user interfaces, that number is expected to jump to 33 percent in 2010,” says Demetre Kondylis, vice president and general manager of Freescale’s Sensor & Actuator Solutions Division.
“With Freescale’s new MMA8450Q accelerometer, developers of mobile phones and other consumer devices can now incorporate enhanced functionality while extending battery life and ultimately improving the end user’s experience.”
Target applications for the MMA8450Q accelerometer include portable consumer devices such as mobile phones and remote controls, as well as smartbooks, eReaders, netbooks, laptop PCs, PMPs and PDAs. Additional applications include activity monitoring for medical applications, dead-reckoning assistance for navigation application, position detection for fleet tracking and safety shutoff for power tools and small appliances.
Features include:
12-bit digital output.
±2g, ±4g, ±8g 3-axis digital accelerometer with I2C.
Accessible 32 sample FIFO simplifies motion detection analysis.
Low current consumption.
Programmable 2 interrupt pins for 8 interrupt sources.
Low voltage operation: 1.71 V to 1.89 V.
Embedded functions/features:
Four channels of motion detection.
Freefall or motion detection: 2 channels.
Pulse detection: 1 channel.
Transient detection : 1 channel.
Orientation (portrait/landscape) detection with hysteresis compensation.
Automatic output data rate change for auto-wake-up and return-to-sleep.
Self test.
Robust design, ability to survive shocks up to 10,000 g.
For more information visit www.freescale.com