Freescale Semiconductor has introduced the MEMS- (micro-electromechanical system) based accelerometer that speeds gesture recognition and orientation detection, improving the accuracy of landscape/portrait views. A power-efficient sensor, the MMA8450Q accelerometer, also extends battery life for high-performance smart mobile devices, and enhances user interfaces with high sensitivity that captures precise movement.
The new device is designed for advanced mobile devices, such as smartphones and smartbooks that are required to deliver a suitable blend of performance, portability, and battery life to consumers. The three-axis digital device is suitable for smart motion and orientation detection, and essential energy-savings that support the smartbook's all day battery life.
The high-resolution device features 12bit digital resolution that goes beyond basic functions such as orientation, tap, double tap, jolt, freefall, and shake to implement complex and precise motion detection contained in a compact, 3x3x1mm package. It features power management capabilities, including internal FIFO (first-in/first-out) 32-samples on each X-, Y-, and Z-axes memory buffer that improves power savings and increases systems response time by off-loading functions from the host processor. Configurable power saving modes and auto-wake/sleep capability helps designers achieve optimal current consumption.
The device is suitable for applications that include portable consumer devices such as mobile phones and remote controls, as well as smartbooks, ereaders, netbooks, laptop PCs, PMPs, and PDAs. Additional applications include actively monitoring for medical applications, dead-reckoning and movement detection for fleet tracking and safety shutoff for power tools and small appliances.
