MEMS Module Provides Six Degrees of Freedom

STMicroelectronics has expanded its portfolio of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) with the release of LSM330DL, a multi-sensor module that combines three-axis sensing of both linear and angular motion. Featuring six degrees of freedom, the LSM330DL sensor is targeted at advanced motion-sensing applications, including remote controls, black-box recorders, and enhanced GPS systems.

The device detects acceleration up to 16g and angular rate up to 2,000dps along the pitch, roll and yaw axes. Integrating a 3-axis digital accelerometer with a 3-axis digital gyroscope in a single package, the LSM330DL increases system robustness and guarantees outstanding thermal and mechanical stability.


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Featuring an inherently precise and highly reliable sensor alignment, ST’s six-axis motion-sensing module is superior to discrete solutions in which mounting of multiple components in one package induces random alignment errors of the two sensors’ reference axes.

The module includes power-down and sleep modes and an embedded FIFO (first-in first-out) memory block, removing the need for continuous communication between the module and the host processor. It can can operate with any supply voltage in the range of 2.4V to 3.6V.

The LSM330DL leverages the same micromachining technology process that ST has successfully applied to its more than 1.4 billion motion sensors already sold in the market. The device is pin-to-pin and software-compatible with the recently announced LSM320DL module, which has five degrees of freedom—enabling customers to easily "hot swap" and protect their investment in application development.

STMicroelectronics