ST’s new range of Gyroscopes targets Image Sharpness

For optical image stabilization in smartphones and digital still cameras, STMicroelectronics has introduced a new family of gyroscopes. By moving the lens in real time to compensate for physical movement of the camera, it can significantly improve the sharpness of the image, especially when taking photographs in low light, when hand jitter during the longer exposure time would blur images. 

In addition to revolutionizing user interfaces with intuitive gesture recognition, MEMS gyroscopes have brought enormous benefits to handheld digital photography through optical image stabilization. With the LxG3IS family, ST’s proven MEMS manufacturing technology and supply-chain advantage are applied to gyroscopes that are uniquely tailored for image stabilization and offer increased damage protection, said Fabio Pasolini, GM, Motion MEMS Division, STMicroelectronics.

Other key technical features of the new devices include ±65 dps / ±130 dps full-scale range, SPI digital interface, embedded temperature sensor, and integrated low- and high-pass filters with selectable bandwidth. The devices operate with supply voltage from 2.4V to 3.6V and are housed in an LGA-16 3x3.5x1 mm package.

The one-stop MEMS supplier of choice, ST offers a comprehensive portfolio of micro-machined accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, magnetic sensors, and microphones, and has the capability to integrate these in multi-sensor combos with on-board signal processing, control functions, sensor fusion algorithms, and wireless connectivity.

Samples of ST’s new 2-axis (L2G3IS) and 3-axis (L3G3IS) gyroscopes are available at pricing of $2.37 and $3.38, respectively for orders over 1,000 pieces.