STMicroelectronics Advanced MEMS sensors help you start the Onlife era

     STMicroelectronics introduces its third generation MEMS sensor. The new generation of sensors helps consumer mobile products, smart industry, smart medical and smart retail products achieve new leaps in performance and functionality.

     MEMS technology implementation is the foundation of robust and reliable chip-level motion and environmental sensors, and today's smartphones and wearable devices rely on MEMS sensors for intuitive environmental awareness. Now, the new generation of STMICRO MEMS sensors takes performance to a new level, with output data accuracy and power consumption exceeding current technology limits. The new sensors allow for higher measurement accuracy in product functions such as activity detection, indoor navigation, and precision industrial sensing. Meanwhile, a new generation of sensors keeps power consumption low to extend the battery life of the device.

     Some products also add additional functions, including the machine learning core (MLC) and electrostatic sensing of STC. MLC core is low-power edge application with adaptive machine learning function. The QVAR (charge change) sensing channel is used to monitor the change of static charge by contacting the body of the smart watch or fitness bracelet wearer or by using non-contact induction (radar). ST MEMS sensor with built-in QVAR can enhance user interface control performance, ensure smooth and seamless human-computer interaction, or simplify the design of moisture and condensation detection. The application scenarios of radar mode include personnel presence detection, activity monitoring and personnel statistics.

     Simone Ferri, Marketing Director of STMicroelectronics MEMS, said: "This breakthrough new generation of products is based on ST's large-scale investment in MEMS expertise and process technology. In addition to radically changing the performance of sensors, we also expand the functional portfolio of new generation of sensors by adding optional functions such as electrostatic sensing and machine learning. All of this makes the new generation of sensors ready for Onlife. The so-called Onlife is a technology that always exists, always runs and always connects to Improve our lifestyle in a transparent and seamless way. "

     The first products of the new generation are LPS22DF air pressure sensor and LPS28DFW waterproof air pressure sensor. The working current of both products is 1.7 µ A, and the absolute pressure accuracy is 0.5hPa. LPS28DFW has two full ranges, which can accurately measure the vertical position underwater and above water. The full range can be selected, up to 1260 hPa or 4060 hPa, which is equivalent to the water pressure at a depth of about 98 feet (30 meters). These sensors enhance the altimeter and barometer performance of portable and wearable devices, including sports watches. Typical industrial applications include weather monitoring and accurate water depth monitoring equipment.

     The LIS2DU12 3-axis accelerometer is a new addition to this product lineup. This specially designed product has excellent ultra-low power consumption architecture and active anti aliasing filtering function. The power consumption of anti aliasing filter is at the leading level in the market. LIS2DU12 only consumes 3.5 µ A at 100Hz output data rate (ODR), which is the first product with I3C interface in the general accelerometer market. All these functions are integrated in a 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.74mm micro package. The accelerometer is very suitable for wearable devices, hearing aids, TWS wireless stereo headphones, wireless sensor nodes, and any applications that must do system optimization.

     LSM6DSV16X 6-axis iNEMO inertial module includes QVAR electrostatic sensor, MLC core and finite state machine (FSM) that can improve response performance and save power. The minimum operating current is 12 µ A. The new FSM machine supports adaptive self configuration (ASC). With this ASC function, the module can sense the context and reconfigure itself without waking up the system, thus saving a lot of additional power. The module will be put into production soon. In an electrostatic radar demonstration application, the user presence pre check function using this module can speed up the wake-up of the laptop.