ST launches world's thinnest accelerometer

Paul Boughton
STMicroelectronics has introduced the world’s thinnest three-axis digital MEMS accelerometer.

The LIS302DLH is a high-performance high-stability 16-bit device that is only 0.75mm high and shares the 3 x 5mm footprint of other devices in ST’s Piccolo MEMS family for use in ultra-space-saving product designs.

Micro-mechanical components are built on a single chip using well established and robust processes similar to those for conventional semiconductor fabrication. This means accelerometers and other devices such as gyroscopes can be produced within extremely small dimensions, and also benefit from low friction, low wear, and high shock resistance. Hundreds of millions of MEMS components are already in service, supporting adaptive and interactive features in consumer products such as smart-phone handsets, GPS devices, portable computers, game controllers, automotive subsystems, and industrial, medical, and scientific equipment.

Applications for ST’s $1.35 LIS302DLH digital three-axis accelerometers include motion sensing, orientation awareness, free-fall detection, and vibration monitoring. Low-voltage operation and low power consumption make this device ideal for battery-powered products. It has a power-saving shutdown mode, and wakes automatically when motion is detected. The integrated digital circuitry outputs acceleration measurements up to +/-8g in the industry-standard I2C/SPI serial format, allowing direct connection to the system processor with no external components required. The LIS302DLH is also pin-to-pin compatible with other 3-axis devices in ST’s Piccolo digital family, and production is set to start in July this year.

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