Sensors
MWC 2016: CMOS Image Sensor features SuperPD PDAF technology
A high performance CMOS digital image sensor is the latest addition to ON Semiconductor’s portfolio of imaging solutions. The AR1337 is a 1/3.2in format device with back-side illumination targeted for consumer electronics products such as smartphones and tablet computers. It incorporates high performance SuperPD phase detect autofocus (PDAF) pixel technology, which delivers focus speeds of 300 ms or less - even in low lighting conditi...
MWC 2016: Fingerprint authentication delivered for wearables
The first end-to-end security architecture for biometric fingerprint authentication has been presented at Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona. It offers OEMs the opportunity to easily deploy this consumer-friendly feature in the latest generation of wearable and consumer electronics devices.
MWC 2016: Sensor hubs aim at wearables market
A family of sensor hub products with optimised vital sensing features has been introduced by Bosch Sensortech at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (Feb 22-25). These devices fuse photoplethysmography (PPG) signals with the onboard inertial MEMS sensors signals for robust, motion compensated heart rate measurement and provide users with valuable insights about their wellbeing and fitness level using Firstbeat’s field-proven vital analytics ...
Artificial skin sensors made from sticky notes
Everyday materials from the kitchen drawer, such as aluminum foil, sticky note paper, sponges and tape, have been used by a team of electrical engineers from KAUST to develop a low-cost sensor that can detect external stimuli, including touch, pressure, temperature, acidity and humidity.
From smartphone to intelligent personal assistant
Strengthening the smartphone’s emerging role as an 'always-on' personal assistant, STMicroelectronics has released two highly miniaturised 6-axis MEMS inertial modules with ultra-low-power design. The LSM6DSL and LSM6DSM enhance user experiences for digital cameras, wearables and remote controls, game consoles, drones and virtual reality.
Smartphone authentication solution supports small fingerprint sensor
Suprema has announced the launch of BioSign, a fingerprint authentication solution for smartphones, supporting world's smallest sensor size of 16mm2 (4x4mm). Suprema's superior biometrics technology is adopted and used in various industries where security is critical such as financial institutions, data centres and government facilities.
Researcher developing hand-held gold sensor
Prospectors of the future might seek gold with a hand-held biosensor that uses a component of DNA to detect traces of the element in water. The gold sensor is the latest in a series of metal-detecting biosensors under development by Rebecca Lai, an associate professor of chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Other sensors at various stages of development detect mercury, silver or platinum. Similar technology could be used to find cadmi...
Bringing biometric capabilities to notebooks and mobiles
The new OV2744, a 1.4-micron PureCel image sensor from OmniVision Technologies, features the company’s second generation RGB-Ir technology. The OV2744 enables advanced biometric capabilities such as facial recognition for front facing cameras in notebooks, tablets and smartphones.
Improving road safety while reducing your carbon footprint
Construction and engineering firm J. Murphy & Sons has utilised a tracking device fitted to its commercial vehicle fleet to reduce its carbon footprint by monitoring all aspects of driver performance. This includes speed, idling time, distance and location to optimise journey routes.
Flexible candlestick sensor measures air temperature & velocity
Advanced Thermal Solutions (ATS) now provides the base-and-stem Candlestick sensor for simultaneously measuring air temperature and velocity when characterising thermal conditions inside electronic systems. The Candlestick sensor is narrow and low profile, in heights of 9, 12 and 20mm. These features minimise the disturbance of airborne heat flow in the test domain for more precise measurements.