STMicroelectronics has unveiled the 3-axis digital-output gyroscope to the business market which is useful for automotive combined circuits. The latest sensor can be used for a broad variety of automotive applications, which includes telematics, vehicle tolling system and in dash navigation.
ST’s 3-axis digital-output gyroscope can improve map matching and dead reckoning systems in navigation of cars and in telematics applications. The altitude, motion and distance traveled by a car can be monitored by dead reckoning systems, which can be used when a GPS signal is not available especially in urban canyons between huge buildings and indoors. Map matching involves aligning a series of recorded user positions on a digital map with the road network and is used for applications such as determining the driving directions and traffic flow analysis. This procedure can be enhanced using accurate gyroscope readings.
ST’s gyroscope has been designed to measure angular motion through the entire orthogonal axes by using a single sensing structure. The accuracy of the measurement is enhanced by elimination of axes interference and a stable output is acquired over temperature and time.
Angular rates about +/-250dps can be measured by ST’s gyroscope. The angular motion data is converted to a 16 bit digital stream using an on chip IC interface. This is transmitted to a micro controller chip by using standard I(2)C or SPI protocol. Two output lines and four user selectable output data rates can be generated from the gyroscope.
This sensor contains an embedded first in first out (FIFO) memory block combined with sleep and power down modes to minimize power. An eight bit temperature sensor has been inserted into the device which works at temperature between -40°C and +85°C. The device survives shock up to 10000 g and can efficiently withstand electromagnetic intervention. Samples are readily available though bulk production will commence in quarter 2 of 2012.