Geneva, Switzerland — STMicroelectronics has added a power- and cost-optimized 3-axis accelerometer to its family of ultra-compact low-g linear accelerometers. Targeting customer demand for miniaturized motion sensing in portable electronic devices, the tiny, low-power MEMS device provides precise acceleration values in all three dimensions.

The analog-output LIS302ALK provides individual acceleration values for all three (x, y, z) axes. The sensor is housed in a 5 x 3 x 0.9-mm plastic package to fit in a variety of space-constrained applications and its robust design provides shock survivability up to 10,000 g in 0.1 ms.

The MEMS sensor offers a full-scale output range of +/-2.0 g and it is suitable for low-frequency vibration monitoring at very low power consumption .It incorporates a power-down mode to reach 1 uA supply current and a built-in self-test capability that allows the user to verify the functioning of the sensor after it has been assembled on board.

The LIS302ALK uses ST's ECOPACK lead-free technology for RoHS compliance (the EU's Restriction on Use of Hazardous Substances Directive).

Applications include free-fall detection for data-integrity protection in hard-disk drives, vibration monitoring and compensation, damage prevention, remote control, as well as motion user interfaces in mobile and gaming devices.

In addition, the LIS302 family of motion sensors can also be used to manage power consumption of products that need to be powered on (or off) while or after they have been touched or moved. For example, motion sensors can activate a remote control when someone picks it up, controlling the overall power consumption of the circuitry. In medical applications, the sensors can be used to monitor motion or detect the position/activity level of patients.

Pricing: Unit pricing is $2.95 for quantities of 30,000.
Availability: Samples of the LIS302ALK are available now, with volume production starting in February 2007.
Datasheet: www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/ds/12810/lis302alk.htm

STMicroelectronics, 1-781-861-2650, www.st.com/mems