STMicroelectronics' 3-Axis Digital Gyroscope Breaks New Ground in Motion-Control Realism for Mobile Phones and Gaming Consoles

GENEVA, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), the leading supplier of MEMS for consumer and portable applications(1), today introduced a unique 3-axis digital gyroscope that employs a single sensing structure for motion measurement along all three orthogonal axes(2). This innovative design approach significantly increases accuracy and reliability in motion-controlled consumer applications, paving the way to previously unseen levels of realism.

Whereas existing 3-axis gyroscope solutions rely on two or three independent sensing structures, even if mounted on the same silicon substrate, ST's breakthrough concept of sensing all three axes with a single driving mass eliminates any interference between the axes that inherently affects and degrades the output signal. Furthermore, the innovative architecture has allowed ST engineers to house the sensor and the ASIC interface inside an ultra-small 4x4x1mm package, addressing the size constraints of today's and tomorrow's consumer applications.

"Over the past 18 months, ST has announced a new gyroscope almost every month, following an aggressive roadmap of increasing performance and reliability, coupled with dramatic reductions in size," said Benedetto Vigna, Group Vice President and General Manager of the MEMS, Sensors and High Performance Analog Division, STMicroelectronics. "Our innovative 3-axis digital gyroscope represents a true leap forward in ST-led consumerization of MEMS sensors, enabling major improvements in ever more popular motion-sensing user interfaces inside game controllers and mobile phones."

ST's 3-axis digital gyroscope offers a wide set of user-programmable full-scale ranges from +/- 250 dps(3) up to +/- 2000 dps, with the low full-scale values for high accuracy of slow-motion sensing and the high range to detect and measure very fast gestures and movements. The device provides a 16-bit data output, together with additional embedded digital features, such as configurable low- and high-pass filters, and boasts excellent output stability over time and temperature.

The L3G4200D 3-axis MEMS gyroscope with digital output has been designed and produced using the same manufacturing-process technology that ST has already successfully applied to more than 600 million motion sensors sold in the market. Volume production is scheduled for the end of Q2 2010 and the unit price is $2.9 in quantities greater than 200,000 pieces.

For further information on ST's complete MEMS portfolio go to www.st.com/mems.

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 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.  

(1)  iSuppli, December 2009

(2)  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.

(3)  degrees per second

SOURCE STMicroelectronics