STMicroelectronics Unveils World’s First 3-Axis Gyroscope for Automotive Applications

STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a leading supplier of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors and automotive ICs, has introduced the market’s first 3-axis digital-output gyroscope that meets the industry-standard qualification for automotive integrated circuits (AEC-Q100). ST’s newest angular-rate sensor aims to add positioning accuracy and stability to a wide range of automotive applications, including in-dash navigation, telematics and vehicle tolling systems.

Accurate measurements of angular-motion detection with ST’s automotive-qualified gyroscopes will significantly enhance dead-reckoning and/or map-matching capabilities in car navigation and telematics applications. In situations when a GPS signal can’t be seen, such as indoors and in urban canyons between tall buildings, dead-reckoning systems compensate for loss of satellite signal by monitoring motion, distance traveled and altitude. Precise gyroscope readings can also improve map-matching, the process of aligning a sequence of observed user positions with the road network on a digital map, used in a number of applications, including traffic flow analysis and driving directions.

These new dead-reckoning and map-matching capabilities are enabled with the industry-unique design concept of ST’s gyroscopes, which employ a single sensing structure for motion measurement along all three orthogonal axes.(1) This eliminates any interference between the axes, significantly increasing measurement precision, coupled with excellent output stability over time and temperature.

ST’s A3G4250D gyroscope measures angular rates up to +/-250dps (degree per second). An on-chip IC interface converts the angular-motion data into a 16-bit digital bit stream that is transmitted with high reliability to a dedicated microcontroller chip through a standard SPI or I(2)C protocol. The device provides two output lines (interrupt and data ready) and four user-selectable output data rates.

The 3V single-supply sensor integrates power-down and sleep modes and an embedded FIFO (first-in first-out) memory block for smarter power management. The A3G4250D embeds an 8-bit temperature sensor and operates within an extended temperature range from -40 to 85 degrees C. The device is robust to electromagnetic interference and withstands shocks up to 10,000g.

ST’s 3-axis gyroscope for automotive applications has been designed and produced using the same manufacturing-process technology that ST has already successfully applied to 1.8 billion motion sensors sold in the market. ST customers benefit from the industry-unique combination of state-of-the-art product design and ST’s capability to manage the whole supply chain, leveraging large-scale production capacity at the Company’s dedicated 8-inch MEMS production lines.

Samples of ST’s A3G4250D are available and volume production will start by Q2 2012. Unit pricing is $6 for volumes in the range of 1,000 pieces. Further pricing options are available for larger quantities.

(1) There are three main types of angular motion: yaw is rotation around the vertical axis; roll is rotation around the front-to-back axis and pitch is the rotation around the side-to-side axis.

Notes:

Established by the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC), AEC Q100 is an industry-standard specification that details a set of stress tests and defines the qualification requirements for integrated circuits in automotive applications.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2011, the Company’s net revenues were $9.73 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.