Low-Cost MEMS Accelerometers Open Up Cadre Of New Apps

March 17, 2003

The dual-axis ±2-g (at full-scale) ADXL311 MEMS accelerometer brings affordability to cost-sensitive markets. With this kind of accessibility, it also will create a host of new applications. Analog Devices leveraged its high-volume MEMS accelerometer experience and iMEMS (integrated Micro Electro Mechanical System) surface-micromachining technology to produce an accelerometer that costs $2.50 each in lots of 10,000.

The ADXL311 can be used in personal computing devices and handsets to enable single-handed menu scrolling, map panning, or Web browsing without a stylus or pushbuttons. Designers of sports- and health-related devices, such as pedometers and calorie counters, are considering the part for step counting, distance traveled, and speed measurements. It can also be used in portable blood-pressure monitoring devices to ensure proper arm positioning, and it will make the integration of tilt- and motion-sensing features affordable in a variety of new input devices and electronic toys.

Sensor analog outputs can measure both dynamic and static acceleration. The accelerometer consumes just 200 mA per axis at 3 V. Typical noise floor is 300 mg per root hertz at 3 V. Signals below 5 mg can be resolved at bandwidths below 60 Hz.

The ADXL311 comes in a 5- by 5- by 2-mm eight-lead hermetic leadless chip carrier. It's sampling now, with volume production slated for this quarter.

Analog Devices Inc.
www.analog.com
(781) 937-1428

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.