STMicro intros high-accuracy vehicle motion sensor

Written by Rick DeMeis October 23, 2009 Hits: 476 Favorites

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STMicroelectronics recently introduced a MEMS-based motion sensor to measure vehicle motion for applications ranging from adaptive and auto-leveling headlights to inertial brake lights, e-parking brakes, and advanced anti-theft and vehicle dynamic control systems.

The AIS226DS is a two-axis in-plane accelerometer with ST claims has greater accuracy than using two individual sensors. The device senses acceleration up to ±6g and can resolve incline angles less than 0.02 degrees. Incline measurement is important in auto-leveling lamp, e-parking brake, and hill start aid applications.

Motion is sensed using a tiny MEMS motion detector built on a silicon chip. An interface chip, available with an SPI or I2C output, is also integrated, enabling direct connection to the vehicle’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

Other vehicle systems that can use the AIS226DS include event recorders for monitoring accidents or reckless driving, and GPS navigation systems using movement data for improved dead reckoning when satellites are not in view (in tunnels and garages). Non-automotive applications for the device include vibration sensing in industrial equipment, black-box security monitors for shipping containers, inclinometers, and robotic systems.

Key enabler of AIS226DS sensing accuracy is the low intrinsic noise of the electronic interface chip, which includes high-precision 16-bit analog-to-digital converters. Low noise allows a usable converter resolution of 14 bits over a significant bandwidth, corresponding to a resolution of 0.25 mg (on 2g full-scale). The sensor maintains high accuracy (±70mg) throughout the automotive temperature range –40 to +105C, offering offset drift in the range of 0.2 mg/degree C. The AIS226DS comes in a SO16W full-molded package and is qualified to AEC-Q100.

The AIS226DS is sampling to lead customers, with volume production planned for the first quarter of 2010. Pricing is from $2.50 in quantities of 100,000 units.

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Written by :

Rick DeMeis