Start the Onlife Era with ST's Advanced MEMS Sensors

     MEMS technology implementation is the foundational technology for robust and reliable chip-scale motion and environmental sensors, and today's smartphones and wearables rely on MEMS sensors for intuitive environmental awareness. Now, a new generation of MEMS sensors from STMicroelectronics takes performance to a new level, pushing the limits of current technology in terms of output data accuracy and power consumption. The new sensors enable greater measurement accuracy for product functions such as activity detection, indoor navigation, and precision industrial sensing. At the same time, a new generation of sensors keeps power consumption low to extend the battery life of the device.

     Additional features have been added to some products, including ST's Machine Learning Core (MLC) and electrostatic sensing. The MLC core brings adaptive machine learning capabilities to low-power edge applications. The QVAR (Charge Change) sensing channel monitors changes in electrostatic charge through physical contact with the wearer of the smartwatch or fitness band or with the help of non-contact sensing (radar). ST MEMS sensors with built-in QVAR can enhance user interface control, ensure smooth and seamless human-machine interaction, or simplify moisture and condensation detection designs. Radar mode application scenarios include presence detection, activity monitoring, and people counting.

     Simone Ferri, MEMS Marketing Director at STMicroelectronics, said: "This ground-breaking new generation builds on ST's massive investment in MEMS expertise and process technology. In addition to revolutionizing sensor performance, we are adding electrostatic sensing and Optional features such as machine learning expand the feature set of the new generation of sensors. All this makes the new generation of sensors ready for Onlife. So called Onlife is through always-on, always-on and always-connected technology in a transparent and seamless way Improve our way of life."

     The first products of the new generation are the LPS22DF air pressure sensor and the LPS28DFW waterproof air pressure sensor. The LPS22DF barometric pressure sensor is available in a 2.0mm x 2.0mm x 0.73mm 10-pin LGA package (available on eStore), and the LPS28DFW barometric pressure sensor is available in a 2.8mm x 2.8mm x 1.95mm 7-pin LGA package,The operating current of both products is 1.7µA, and the absolute pressure accuracy is 0.5hPa. With two full scales, the LPS28DFW can accurately measure vertical position both underwater and above the water. Full scale can be selected, up to 1260 hPa or 4060 hPa, equivalent to water pressure at a depth of approximately 98 feet (30 meters). These sensors enhance altimeter and barometer performance in portable and wearable devices, including sports watches. Typical industrial applications include weather monitoring and precision water depth monitoring equipment.

     New to the lineup is the LIS2DU12 3-axis accelerometer, a specially designed product featuring an excellent ultra-low power architecture and active anti-aliasing filtering. The power consumption of anti-aliasing filters is market leading. Consuming only 3.5µA at 100Hz output data rate (ODR), the LIS2DU12 is the first product in the general-purpose accelerometer market with an I3C interface. All of these functions are packed into a tiny 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.74mm package. This accelerometer is ideal for wearables, hearing aids, TWS wireless stereo headsets, wireless sensor nodes, and any application where system optimization is a must.

     The LSM6DSV16X 6-axis iNEMO inertial module contains a QVAR electrostatic sensor and an MLC core and finite state machine (FSM) for improved responsiveness and power savings. The minimum operating current is 12µA. The new FSM machines support Adaptive Self-Configuration (ASC). With this ASC function, the module can be context aware and reconfigure itself without waking up the system, which saves a lot of extra power. The module is about to go into production. In an electrostatic radar demonstration application, user presence pre-checking using this module can speed up the wake-up of a laptop.