Geo magnetic modules reduce power by half
1 min read
A new generation of geo magnetic modules has been introduced by STMicroelectronics. The low power LSM303DLM device is designed to address advanced navigation and location based services in portable consumer applications. It integrates high resolution three axis sensing of linear and magnetic motion in a 5 x 5 x 1mm package.
According to ST, the integration of high performance motion and magnetic sensing enables enhanced electronic compassing in mobile phones and other personal electronic devices, including direction finding, map/display orientation, location based services and pedestrian dead reckoning. The MEMS specialist says the devices' operating power consumption of 360uA represents a 50% reduction over devices currently in production.
The module couples high precision sensing with smart embedded features, including 6d orientation detection (two programmable interrupt signals that enable immediate notification of motion detection and free fall), as well as wake up/power down functionality. It is optimised to address energy efficiency on both the chip and the system level.
The device boasts state of the art stability over time and temperature and a 30% increase in magnetic sensing resolution over its predecessor, the LSM303DLH. It is pin to pin and software compatible with the previous generation device.
