New MEMS sensor from ST for wearables

This new MEMS sensor is poised to redefine standards and expectations in markets for consumer and specialist wearables. By incorporating the LSM6DSV80X, devices can provide advanced capabilities such as training analysis and performance benchmarking to help athletes with improving their technique. While the low-g accelerometer tracks and identifies activities like walking, running, and gesture-based interactions, high-g measurement handles energetic movements that can saturate conventional IMUs and impair accuracy.

Offering these unique capabilities, the LSM6DSV80X has versatility in a number of applications in sports equipment, such as monitoring performance while running or jumping. Downhill running and explosive activities like plyometrics can involve impacts over 30g, placing high stress on knees and ankles that can now be recorded easily and cost effectively. 

In boxing, meanwhile, where impacts often exceed 60g, athletes can now capture data using commercially available wearables powered by LSM6DSV80X to improve strength and power, as well as detecting concussions to increase safety. Sports such as tennis can benefit from intensity impact measurements for insights to improve racquet control and acceleration for greater speed and accuracy.

Alongside its advanced accelerometer architecture, the LSM6DSV80X also integrates a MEMS gyroscope and digital processing with sensor fusion low power (SFLP) technology that facilitates spatial orientation detection and gesture detection. Furthermore, ST’s machine-learning core (MLC) and finite-state machine (FSM) provide Edge processing in the sensor to boost performance and save power. By processing the raw data locally, the IMU can recognise wearers’ activities autonomously and simplify host communications for sharper responses and lower power consumption. This allows for fuller analysis of sports training, checking how accurately the athlete is performing the exercises. The sensor also features adaptive self-calibration (ASC) to adjust for different activity scenarios.

Developers can find full support for the LSM6DSV80X in ST MEMS Studio, the free graphical environment that provides tools for configuring the sensor, training the MLC decision tree, and testing. In addition, ST provides a selection of affordable evaluation boards that can host the new sensor with an adapter board, including the Professional MEMS tool (STEVAL-MKI109D) and SensorTile.box PRO (STEVAL-MKBOXPRO).