MEMS devices target auto, medical, consumer apps

STMicroelectronics N.V. will launch its automotive MEMS for g-Brake Lights, a brake lamp based on the company's AIS326DQ Inertial Sensor. The demonstration board uses the STM8A 8bit automotive MCU, AIS326DQ MEMS-based inertial sensor and the A5970AD LED driver to show the performance of the device. The g-Brake Lights are an add-on brake lamp used as an additional warning light to increase motorcycle driver safety. They provide optical representation of the deceleration detected by the accelerometer AIS326DQ during the braking phase of a vehicle.

STMicro is also paving the way to smart sensor modules. The iNEMO is a family of SW/HW products, like the iNEMO software engine, and integrated modules ranging from the iNEMO evaluation board to multiaxis inertial and magnetic modules. The iNEMO software engine is a highly reliable software platform, based on the Kalman Filter theory, to implement real sensor fusion of up to 10-axis MEMS sensing of linear, angular, magnetic motion and pressure sensing for motion recognition, the company said.

A range of applications for smart phones and tablets will be enabled by a combination of STMicro's most advanced MEMS sensors including gyroscopes, accelerometers, and integrated modules, the company said. These devices use different demo-tools such as the iNEMO evaluation board that offers 9-axis MEMS sensing of linear, angular and magnetic motion, along with pressure and temperature sensing, managed by an STM32 32bit MCU.

STMicro will also demonstrate its MEMS digital microphones that claim to offer the world's best audio performance in signal-to-noise ratio and sensitivity. The devices are less susceptible to mechanical vibrations, temperature variations and EMI compared to traditional electret microphones.

The health care industry will also have a taste of STMicro's offerings beginning with its microfluidic MEMS technology. A miniature MEMS-based insulin pump that can be mounted on a disposable skin patch, developed in collaboration with Debiotech, provides continuous infusion of insulin. It closely imitates the natural secretion from the pancreas while also detecting potential malfunctions of the pump to ensure patient safety.

Another innovation from STMicro, the smart contact lens based on the company's MEMS pressure-sensor technology, is capable of monitoring and observing changes in eye pressure in a 24hr period. Developed in collaboration with Sensimed, this unique diagnostic aid can help specialists detect glaucoma earlier and maximize the effectiveness of treatments by synchronizing medication with the patient's internal biological clock, STMicro explained.