STMicroelectronics has expanded its motion-sensor portfolio with a three-axis, digital-output gyroscope. Housed in a 4x4x1mm package, the L3GD20 combines high sensing resolution with immunity to audio noise and vibrations, making motion-sensing user interfaces more realistic in mobile phones, tablets, game consoles, and other smart consumer devices, claims the company. The gyroscope is claimed to be immune to both mechanical vibrations coupled through the PCB and to audio noise, such as from speakers mounted close to the sensor. It has a single sensing structure for motion measurement along all three orthogonal axes. According to the company, the gyroscope offers user-programmable ranges from ±250 to ±2000dps, with the low full-scale values for high accuracy of slow-motion sensing and the high range to detect and measure fast gestures and movements. The gyroscope provides a 16bit data output and embedded digital features, such as configurable low- and high-pass filters. The gyroscope includes power-down and sleep modes and an embedded FIFO memory block for power management. It can operate within the supply voltage range of 2.4 to 3.6V. The gyroscope uses micro-machining technology process and is pin-to-pin adaptable and software-compatible with the L3G4200D.
