3-axis MEMS accelerometer targets high-impact apps

Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) has unleashed a 3-axis, 200g digital MEMS accelerometer that the company said delivers the highest bandwidth and lowest power in its class. The ADXL375 MEMS accelerometer continuously measures the duration and magnitude of impact or shock events within the full-scale range of ±200g without saturation. Additionally, the sensor consumes 140μA at a full bandwidth of up to 1.6kHz, delivering more than twice the sampling rate of competing sensors at less than half the power, indicated the firm.

The ADXL375 is intended for low- and battery-powered wireless sensor networks used in concussion detection, transportation, asset tracking and other applications that are subject to sudden, high-magnitude forces.

The ADXL375 has been designed into the latest generation of the Blast Gauge, a body-worn blast detection system developed by BlackBox Biometrics. The device is deployed with U.S. Armed Forces to measure and record concussive event data that is then used for health and safety assessment. The device also uses ADI's ADXL362 low-power, MEMS accelerometer as part of an intelligent, continuously operational, motion-activated switch to increase battery life in the sealed environment.

The ADXL375 includes an integrated memory management system consisting of a 32-level FIFO memory. The buffer memory includes low-power modes that can be used to set impact thresholds, store data and lower overall system power consumption by offloading those functions from the host processor.

The device is available in a 3 x 5 x 1mm 14-lead LGA package for $4.79 each per quantities of 1,000.