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LSM303DLM ultra-low-power geo-magnetic module addresses navigation and location-based services in portable consumer applications

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The STMicroelectronics LSM303DLM ultra-low-power geo-magnetic module addresses navigation and location-based services in portable consumer applications by integrating high-resolution three-axis sensing of linear and magnetic motion in a 5- by 5- by 1-mm package.

Geneva, Switzerland: The STMicroelectronics LSM303DLM ultra-low-power geo-magnetic module addresses navigation and location-based services in portable consumer applications by integrating high-resolution three-axis sensing of linear and magnetic motion in a 5- by 5- by 1-mm package (see the figure).

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.

This latest addition to the company’s microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) portfolio, the LSM303DLM has been designed and produced using the same micromachining technology process that STMicroelectronics has already applied to more than 1 billion motion sensors.

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, freefall, and other conditions; and wakeup/power-down functionality.

The LSM303DLM also addresses energy efficiency on both the chip and the system level. Its 360-µA operating power consumption represents a 50% reduction over devices currently in production, says the company.

The module provides accurate output across full-scale ranges of ±2/±4/±8 g (linear acceleration) and from ±1.3 up to ±8 Gauss (magnetic field). And, it is pin-to-pin and software-compatible with the previous-generation devices.

STMicroelectronics
www.st.com/mems

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