The iNEMO’s advanced filtering and predictive software engine integreates the outputs from a three-axis accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, and three-axis magnetometer. Fusing these sensors’ data through algorithms, the iNEMO delivers more accurate and reliable sensor performance, according to STMicroelectronics.

STMicroelectronics has released the first details of its iNEMO engine. The iNEMO’s advanced filtering and predictive software engine integrates the outputs from a three-axis accelerometer, three-axis gyroscope, and three-axis magnetometer. Fusing these sensors’ data through algorithms, the iNEMO delivers more accurate and reliable sensor performance, according to STMicroelectronics (see the figure).

For many current applications, such as freefall detection, screen rotation, or pedometers, a single micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer meets their system requirements; however, a new class of advanced applications is emerging. For example, location-based services, enhanced motion-based gaming, pedestrian dead-reckoning for indoor and multi-floor navigation, robotics, and human-body tracking all require multiple MEMS sensors, together with advanced software, to achieve better overall system performance in terms of accuracy, resolution, stability, and response time.

“[The iNEMO Engine software] lifts the burden of complex sensor algorithm development off the shoulders of our customers,” claims Benedetto Vigna, group vice president and general manager of ST’s MEMS, Sensors and High Performance Analog Division.

The iNEMO engine software integrates a set of adaptive algorithms for prediction and filtering. The software takes data from the outputs of various motion sensors in smart consumer devices and integrates it so that the sensor outputs augment each other, leapfrogging what individual sensors can do alone. The software can correct for magnetic distortions registered on the magnetometer, dynamic distortion measured by the accelerometer, and inherent drift over time of the gyroscope. This protects the accuracy of the heading information, removes pointing inaccuracies and drift problems, and virtually eliminates timeouts for calibration.

The iNEMO engine is available now to major consumer manufacturers, upon request via the ST sales channels, for integration into leading mobile platforms in a two-chip sensor solution (LSM303DLHx e-compass and the L3G4200D gyroscope). Advanced new mobile devices using ST’s iNEMO engine multi-axis sensors are expected to be in production at leading consumer manufacturers before the end of the year.

ST also has a wide range of MEMS sensors available for the iNEMO engine. These sensors include accelerometers to measure linear acceleration and earth gravity, gyroscopes to measure angular velocity, and magnetic sensors that output reliable heading information.

STMicroelectronics
www.st.com