Jul 03, 2006
VTI's new 3-axis accelerometers for broad range of consumer applications
The launch of the new 3-axis accelerometer family by VTI Technologies
Oy is a step towards opening up novel consumer applications. The
SCA3000 is a 3-axis accelerometer that can be used to measure
acceleration, and detect motion and inclination. It can be used in
portable navigation devices, sports equipment, hand-held devices such
as mobile phones, personal digital assistants etc.
"VTI's 3-axis accelerometers set a brand new standard to sensor technology. Three dimensional microelectromechanical manufacturing technology (3D-MEMS) enables integration of small, mechanical sensor elements and components into customer's products. The SCA3000 breaks new ground when it comes to low current performance. It is the lowest current consuming device in the market today," says Pekka Kostiainen, Product Manager of VTI Technologies. "This helps to prolong the battery life, which is critical for good user experience in many consumer applications."
Application areas are wide-ranging. They include:
* supporting navigational systems such as dead reckoning with GPS,
* data gathering in sports activities such as activity monitoring and step counting,
* electronic compass compensation,
* creating novel user interfaces for inputting data and controlling devices based on spatial orientation and motion, and
* anti-theft and free-fall protection.
"GPS receivers assisted by acceleration sensors offer significantly improved user experience, providing better coverage and accuracy also in bad signal conditions," explains Pekka Kostiainen. Ultra low current consumption, on the other hand, enables acceleration data logging applications that have not been possible before, for example in sports equipment such as pedometers and activity monitors.
Breaking down the cost and performance barriers to the increased use of sensing technology in consumer and industrial applications is an objective for VTI. The company has taken a significant step towards this direction with the introduction of the SCA3000 family. Not only because of its price and performance characteristics but also because of its design that simplifies the software development and maintenance effort needed to incorporate the sensor into customer's equipment and systems. This can be achieved, e.g., by utilizing additional memory of the SCA3000.
VTI is launching four different versions of the SCA3000 that offer a variety of interface and current consumption options to cover the broad range of applications. The lowest current consuming version is the SCA3000-E01 which consumes only 120 microamps from a 2.5V supply in continuous operation.
More information and pictures: www.vti.fi/SCA3000
Tiina Olkkonen, Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +358 40 827 8844, tiina.olkkonen@vti.fi , support@vti.fi
VTI Technologies is a global market leader of low-g acceleration sensors for automotive industry applications and Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM). Application areas for the company's motion and pressure sensors include the Automotive industry, Sports & Wellness, Medical & Instruments as well as handheld Terminals.
VTI develops and produces silicon-based capacitive sensors using its proprietary 3D-MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical System) technology, with application areas in acceleration, inclination, shock, vibration, angular rate and pressure measurement.
VTI is owned by EQT III private equity fund. VTI's net sales in 2005 totaled EUR 74.7 million and the company had approx. 800 employees. Along with the head office in Finland and the global partner network, VTI's international sales and marketing network includes offices in Germany, USA, Japan and China. Besides Finland, VTI also has manufacturing operations in Mexico. More information: www.vti.fi.
"VTI's 3-axis accelerometers set a brand new standard to sensor technology. Three dimensional microelectromechanical manufacturing technology (3D-MEMS) enables integration of small, mechanical sensor elements and components into customer's products. The SCA3000 breaks new ground when it comes to low current performance. It is the lowest current consuming device in the market today," says Pekka Kostiainen, Product Manager of VTI Technologies. "This helps to prolong the battery life, which is critical for good user experience in many consumer applications."
Application areas are wide-ranging. They include:
* supporting navigational systems such as dead reckoning with GPS,
* data gathering in sports activities such as activity monitoring and step counting,
* electronic compass compensation,
* creating novel user interfaces for inputting data and controlling devices based on spatial orientation and motion, and
* anti-theft and free-fall protection.
"GPS receivers assisted by acceleration sensors offer significantly improved user experience, providing better coverage and accuracy also in bad signal conditions," explains Pekka Kostiainen. Ultra low current consumption, on the other hand, enables acceleration data logging applications that have not been possible before, for example in sports equipment such as pedometers and activity monitors.
Opening up new potential
Breaking down the cost and performance barriers to the increased use of sensing technology in consumer and industrial applications is an objective for VTI. The company has taken a significant step towards this direction with the introduction of the SCA3000 family. Not only because of its price and performance characteristics but also because of its design that simplifies the software development and maintenance effort needed to incorporate the sensor into customer's equipment and systems. This can be achieved, e.g., by utilizing additional memory of the SCA3000.
VTI is launching four different versions of the SCA3000 that offer a variety of interface and current consumption options to cover the broad range of applications. The lowest current consuming version is the SCA3000-E01 which consumes only 120 microamps from a 2.5V supply in continuous operation.
More information and pictures: www.vti.fi/SCA3000
Tiina Olkkonen, Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +358 40 827 8844, tiina.olkkonen@vti.fi , support@vti.fi
VTI in brief
VTI Technologies is a global market leader of low-g acceleration sensors for automotive industry applications and Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM). Application areas for the company's motion and pressure sensors include the Automotive industry, Sports & Wellness, Medical & Instruments as well as handheld Terminals.
VTI develops and produces silicon-based capacitive sensors using its proprietary 3D-MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical System) technology, with application areas in acceleration, inclination, shock, vibration, angular rate and pressure measurement.
VTI is owned by EQT III private equity fund. VTI's net sales in 2005 totaled EUR 74.7 million and the company had approx. 800 employees. Along with the head office in Finland and the global partner network, VTI's international sales and marketing network includes offices in Germany, USA, Japan and China. Besides Finland, VTI also has manufacturing operations in Mexico. More information: www.vti.fi.