Sensors
Fingerprint technology uses ultrasonic for precision
Qualcomm is extending its mobile security leadership with the launch of Qualcomm Snapdragon Sense ID 3D Fingerprint Technology, the mobile industry’s first 3D fingerprinting system based on ultrasonic technology. Qualcomm’s offering is designed to provide enhanced authentication capabilities, usability and integration by utilising technology developed for government-grade biometric solutions.
Accelerometer ensures reliable operation from -55 to +163°C
A high temperature, miniature accelerometer, the Model 7132AHT, has been released by Measurement Specialties, which is now part of TE Connectivity. Offering exceptional linearity across dynamic ranges from ±50 to ±2,000g, the device's stable temperature response ensures reliable operation over an extended temperature range from -55 to +163°C.
TVS diode array enables five times ESD protection
Mouser Electronics is now stocking the SP1012 TVS Diode Array from Littelfuse. It is one of the first general‑purpose electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices of its kind to pack five ESD diodes inside a Flip Chip (FCiP) package, a 5x improvement over previous implementations. This miniature, five-channel bidirectional TVS array is densely designed and can help developers reduce printed circuit board (PCB) space and costs due to its sma...
RGBW sensor eliminates external sensor, lowers costs
Vishay Intertechnology has launched a new digital RGBW sensor featuring Filtron technology for accurate RGBW spectral sensitivity, while providing ambient light spectral sensitivity with responses close to that of the human eye. It is on sale at distributor Rutronik. The VEML6040 colour sensor incorporates photo-pin-diodes (RGBW) and a signal processing IC in a compact 2.0 x 1.25 x 1.0mm surface-mount, 4-pin OPLGA package, while offering an I2C b...
Barometric pressure sensor delivers ±5cm resolution
Designed for use in mobile and wearable gadgets and IoT devices, Infineon Technologies has announced an ultra-high ±5cm resolution, miniature MEMS pressure sensor. The DPS310 is a low-power digital barometric pressure sensor that enables the development of new and enhanced navigation, location, well-being, gesture recognition and weather monitoring applications.
Sensors enable wearable electronics
The wearable devices space is viewed as the next goldmine of opportunity for sensor manufacturers as profits shrink in the smartphone and tablet segments. Frost & Sullivan's 'Wearable Electronics Enabled by Sensors' analysis finds that the sensors market earned revenues of $108m in 2014 and estimates this to catapult to $800m in 2020.
Small, accurate gas & pressure sensors on show at MWC
From Hall 5, Booth 5D70 at the 2015 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Sensirion will present a multi-pixel gas sensor, plus a barometric pressure sensor, both of which rank among the smallest yet most accurate in their class worldwide. The sensors are capable of measuring Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), the gases in a person’s breath and barometric air pressure, as required for indoor navigation applications.
IoT sensors set to drive printed electronics gold rush
Prime time for printed sensors - the printed electronics industry shows a huge interest in sensors as it seeks to forget the failures from the past. By Dr Guillaume Chansin, Senior Technology Analyst, IDTechEx.
Module combines motion co-processor with 9-axis sensors
Microchip's MM7150 motion module combines an SSC7150 motion co-processor with 9-axis sensors, including accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope in a small, easy-to-use form factor. Embedded/IoT applications can easily tap into the module’s advanced motion and position data thanks to a simple I2C connection to most MCUs/MPUs.
Hearing aid uses less energy for twice the processing power
NXP Semiconductors has, in partnership with Sonova, announced the collaborative development of Venture, a high performance next-gen hearing instrument platform. Using the advanced platform, Sonova has introduced a family of hearing aids, Phonak Audéo V, which launched in October 2014, aiming to address the low penetration rate of the technology in developing countries.