STMicroelectronics offers high-accuracy MEMS sensors for Industry 4.0

In a chat with VARINDIA, Vishal Goyal, Senior Technical Marketing Manager, Analog and MEMS Group, RF, Sensors and Analog Custom Products, Asean-ANZ and India, STMicroelectronics, discusses about ST’s leadership in MEMS and Sensors, product strategy, etc. 

What is ST’s leadership in MEMS and Sensors?

ST leads MEMS and Sensors Innovation and Application. We are No. 1 in MEMS sensors for consumer and mobile and No. 2 in MEMS micro-actuators. ST has already established itself as the market leader in MEMS technology for consumer and mobile applications and is the fastest-growing company in the automotive domain. ST MEMS sensors shipment reached 13 billion in 2017. ST is enriching its sensor portfolio to address automotive and industrial markets, while maintaining leadership in the consumer segments, and is well positioned to ride the wave of IoT and Smart Driving with its micro-actuators.

What is ST’s product strategy for MEMS market trends?

ST´s MEMS products target a wide array of applications in computer peripherals, automotive, industrial and consumer markets. ST’s MEMS automotive sensors are developed on the same technology platform used for high-volume MEMS at the core of many industrial and consumer applications. For Industry 4.0, ST provides a complete range of products suitable to be applied in early failure detection and predictive maintenance systems where vibration, temperature, pressure, sound and acoustics analysis are needed.

Please highlight Industrial MEMS Sensor and its key features of IIS3DHHC 3-axis low-noise accelerometer. 

ST offers Sensors for industrial MEMS, namely:
 
*    MEMS motion sensors Accelerometers, gyroscopes, 6-axis IMUs, magnetometer
*    Temperature sensors
*    Pressure sensors
*    Humidity sensors
*    MEMS microphones Analog, digital, top and bottom port solutions

Key features of IIS3DHHC

IIS3DHHC 3-axis low-noise accelerometer, first accelerometer from ST with inclinometer accuracy.

With full-scale range of ±2.5g, the IIS3DHHC 3-axis accelerometer is optimized for fine-positioning mechanisms and detecting small movements such as in advanced security sensors. Among key differences between this and typical consumer-oriented accelerometers, its ultra-low noise of 45μg/√Hz (micro-g per root Hz) allows very high resolution. In addition, the IIS3DHHC integrates analog-digital conversion, as well as digital circuitry including FIFO data storage and interrupt control. This saves external conversion components and also simplifies power management to reduce energy demand and to enable longer runtimes for battery-powered equipment.

How will the 10-year product longevity commitment benefit industrial applications? 

ST is a leader in consumer, mobile applications, automotive sensors, and now we are utilizing our leadership in industrial applications. ST is extending its commitment to markets for advanced industrial technology, leveraging investment in consumer MEMS sensors. Our new industrial sensors covered by 10-year longevity commitment assures long-term availability of a wide range of high-performing components used in industrial equipment, helping vendors handle the typically long in-market lifetimes of their products and extended operation in challenging environmental conditions. In addition to industrial sensors, the program covers STM32 microcontrollers, motor drivers, analog components, power converters, LEDs, and existing MEMS sensors that will be supported for at least 10 years.