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Tech Focus: Integrating MEMS into embedded designs
HIGHLIGHTS
Applying the interrupt features of a MEMS accelerometer
Making MEMS accelerometers work in motion control
Rethinking PID use in the age of MEMS
Editor's Note
It is clear that as widespread use of Micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) components in consumer and mobile sensors and motion controls drives cost down, the technology will be much more broadly adopted. As a result, embedded developers will be faced with the opportunities – and challenges – of integrating low cost MEMS components into traditional MCU-based machine, motor, and engine controls in robotic systems; home, building, lighting and industrial automation systems; engines of all sorts, and in automobiles. A few recent examples of such designs include:
Design of a smart MEMS accelerometer using nonlinear control principles
Usng a monolithic MEMS microgripper with two-axis force feedback
Advanced control of MEMS probing devices
Controller design of a MEMS gyro-accelerometer
For a more direct sense of the growing interest in the use of all things Micro-electro-mechanical, I've included the link to recent videos of DIY MEMS controller designs. In addition, here are some white papers, webinars and design articles on integrating MEMS into embedded designs, of which my Editor's Top Picks are:
Applying the interrupt features of a MEMS accelerometer
MEMS accelerometers: a fast-track to design success?
Making MEMS accelerometers work in motion control
This will be a fast moving technology that will continue to turn up in many unanticipated embedded applications. Keep in touch with me on the various ways you are deploying this technology, the problems you may be having and the ways you are solving them.
Design How-Tos
Applying the interrupt features of a MEMS accelerometer
Understand how to implement reliable and robust interrupt-based applications using MEMS-based accelerometers
Use GPS and MEMS sensor combo for next-gen positioning and navigation
This article looks at the next exciting stage in GPS evolution that solves the problems of non-availability of GPS location information – often when the user needs it most.
How to select the right timing device–A case for MEMS—Part I
The clock signal is the heartbeat upon which all signals in the system are dependent. Timing components impact the performance of the entire system, so it is important to select them carefully, considering the requirements of each specific application. Here's how.
MEMS sensors: When GPS is not enough
Environmentally robust sensor developments are driving a surge in the adoption of MEMS inertial sensors within the industrial, instrumentation and medical markets.
MEMS sensors expand active automotive safety
The next generation of active safety systems will require a range of additional sensors in order to measure vehicle dynamics. Modern MEMS devices will play a dominant role.
MEMS accelerometers: a fast-track to design success?
MEMS accelerometers are one of the most newsworthy analog products today. However, are they a passing system design fad, or here to stay?
Self-adaptive MEMS vibration energy harvester targets low frequencies
CEA-Leti researchers are developing an innovative energy-harvesting technology that collects vibrations from the environment and converts them into electricity to power a variety of sensors
Microelectronic sensing system enables in-flight arrow ballistics measurement
Packing MEMS and more in your arrow leads to an unusual data-acquisition system
Making MEMS accelerometers work in motion control
Error budgets and tolerances affect a successful design; look at tactics to overcome these problems
MEMS sensors for advanced mobile applications—An overview
This article discusses the role of MEMS sensors in advanced applications in mobile devices including Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR), LBS and the solution of MEMS sensor fusion integrated with a GPS receiver to determine the position and orientation using the dead-reckoning method.
2012 Embedded Market Survey webinar
UBM Electronics' 17th annual survey of embedded systems designers worldwide shows trends in software and hardware usage. The 2012 Embedded Market Survey also looks at languages, productivity, and the challenges design teams rank as most important. A webinar on Friday April 20 will examine the results from over 1,700 respondents from across the embedded industry, the dataset enables a deep analysis to track key changes in this important electronics industry segment. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions online. To register click here .
Products
10x smaller single chip 3-axis industrial MEMS gyroscope reduces noise 100%
Known for their motion tracking device technology, InvenSense entered the industrial market with the MPU-3300, the first single-chip, high-performance integrated 3-axis industrial gyroscope.
ADI samples lowest power MEMS accelerometer
ADI's MEMS accelerometer enables wireless sensor networks, wearable motion detectors and other portable systems to significantly extend battery life.
InvenSense proprietary MEMS fab process offers limited licensing
The InvenSense NF-Shuttle offering is a silicon CMOS-MEMS platform where mask costs are split between multiple users—they can purchase 'seats' on the same mask.
SWS launches development platform for MEMS inertial sensors
Si-Ware Systems (SWS) has launched its Inertial Sensor Development Platform, the SWS61111 (formerly SWP210).
MEMS variable capacitive accelerometers with 4-wire snap-in removable connector
Silicon Designs' model 2266 high-precision accelerometer come with a simple four-wire snap-in removable connector, designed to allow users the added ability to exchange, move, reposition, and replace accelerometers within a given test setup.
Coventor's SEMulator3D 2012 release increases speed and accuracy of MEMS and semiconductor dev
SEMulator3D 2012 from Coventor, Inc., has increased capacity, speed, and automation advancements to accelerate development of leading-edge process technology nodes.
News & Analysis
MEMS enable 'human body on a chip'
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and elsewhere have embarked on an ambitious $32 million “human body on-a-chip” research project that will use MEMS microfluidics to mimic people's reactions to substances-of-interest.
MEMS market to show 13% CAGR to 2017, says Yole
The worldwide market for microelectromechanical systems components will be worth about $11.5 billion in 2012, an increase of about 12.7 percent compared with the size of the market in 2011, according to market research firm Yole Developpement.
TSMC tops pure-play MEMS foundry ranking from IHS
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was the largest pure-play foundry for microelectromechanical systems devices in 2011, according to market analysis firm IHS iSuppli.
6-axis MEMS chip gets motion engine
STMicroelectronics has shrunk its 6-axis accelerometer-gyroscope combo chip while adding a smart motion processing chip.
MEMS switch market to surge by 2012, says Yole
French research and strategy consulting company Yole Développement has provided an analysis of MEMS switch and varicaps as it expects this emerging market will generate sales over $700 million by 2012.
RF MEMS switches to enter wireless handset apps
In an analysis of the market potential of radiofrequency (RF) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switching, French research and strategy consulting company Yole Development highlighted that they would generate $990 million market in wireless handset applications in 2013.
MEMS switches curb infrastructure cost
Switching fabrics based on mirrors built using MEMS technology in a 3D configuration have emerged as a viable alternative to 2D crossbar approaches.
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