Fujitsu fingerprint sensor eyes mobile phones

Fujitsu Microelectronics America Inc. (FMA) has introduced MBF310, a capacitive-based fingerprint sweep sensor that features an Auto-Finger Detection (AFD) circuit and on-board FIFO memory. Suitable for use in next-generation mobile phones, the product offers a compact design that optimizes power consumption and CPU efficiency.

When a finger sweeps across the surface of the device, the image data is captured by the sensor. This data is synchronized with the CPU for processing through the 2KB FIFO memory, enabling frame sweep rates of 20cm/s.

The MBF310 incorporates 8 image-sensing rows, compared with 32 rows in the previous version, enabling a reduction in the total sensor area of 30 percent. Package in a 42-pin plastic FBGA, the product comes with an integrated finger-swipe guide that serves as a tactile feature to help locate and align the finger.

Pricing is $6 in 1,000-piece quantities and less for higher quantities.