Rotational Accelerometer Relies On MEMS

A new rotational acceleration sensor device based on microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology addresses applications in hard disk drives and consumer products. Housed in a SO-24 plastic package, the L6671 includes a capacitive rotational acceler-ometer sensor plus a sensitive interface chip integrating the analog-to-digital conversion, filtering and interface functions. The device provides a digital output through a 3.3V (5V tolerant) 3-wire serial bus and achieves a signal bandwidth of 800 Hz and a signal-to-noise ratio of 37 dB over 30 to 800 Hz. Sensitivity is 2.5 rad/s2, with full-scale sensitivity at 200 rad/s2. Through the serial bus, it is possible to program device characteristics. Price: $10 each/1,000. STMICROELECTRONICS, Lexington, MA. (781) 861-2650.