MEMS sensors target ever smaller mobile devices

With a 56% reduction in volume from the previous generation, the pin compatible Xtrinsic MMA8652FC 12bit and MMA8653FC 10bit accelerometers are designed to provide low noise and advanced motion accuracy in smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, portable navigation solutions and health care applications. "Built to complement our extensive portfolio of sensing solutions, the Xtrinsic MMA865xFC family of accelerometers delivers the highest performance available of any 2x2 mm package on the market today," said Seyed Paransun, vp and general manager of Freescale's sensor and actuator solutions division. "Using these sleek new accelerometers, designers can employ new levels of sensor intelligence through embedded algorithms and computation without compromising sensitivity or performance." The devices are optimised to support features such as gesture detection, image stability, tap to control, anti theft, and tumble and freefall detection. Combined with Freescale's sensor toolbox development tools, the company says the devices can lower costs and decrease developers' time to market. The accelerometers were one of several announcements made at the Freescale Technology Forum in China, which also included new reference solutions for automotive HVAC control and analogue ics for small engine electronic control units.