MEMS Investor Journal -- The Largest MEMS Publication in the World

ST launches world's first dual-core MEMS gyro

The design of ST's dual-core MEMS gyroscope employs separate output paths optimized for the two different functions in a 4x4x1 mm package.  The device addresses, at the same time, motion and gesture recognition and optical image stabilization for sharper mobile camera photos.  "ST's dual-core gyroscope lights two candles with one flame," said Benedetto Vigna, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of ST's Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group.  "Instead of using two dedicated sensors with significantly different specifications, phone and tablet manufacturers can now simply integrate a single gyroscope for both gesture recognition and camera image stabilization, which enables more reliable performance, sleeker form factors, and lower costs."

Gentex acquires MEMS motion sensor maker InterSense

Gentex and InterSense announced this week that Gentex has acquired substantially all assets of InterSense.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.  The agreement to acquire InterSense, a developer of MEMS based hybrid motion tracking systems, advances Gentex' growth strategy and expands the company's capabilities to address the growing demand for precision motion tracking and situational awareness capabilities in military and non-military markets.

Inertial MEMS devices: an overview of testing techniques and considerations

MEMS inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyros, are some of the most challenging types of sensors to test because their characterization requires an extensive range of physical stimuli.  We recently spoke with Sascha Revel, Director of Sales at ACUTRONIC about testing of inertial MEMS devices.  As a company that mainly focuses on inertial sensor testing, ACUTRONIC's perspective is unique and offers valuable insights.  In this interview, Mr. Revel discusses the main types of inertial MEMS tests, reliability requirements, key challenges and associated costs.

MEMS motion sensors: market overview and a system integrator's perspective

As MEMS motion sensor market continues to evolve, new applications and niche markets are emerging.  We recently spoke with Dave Rothenberg, Worldwide Marketing Manager at Movea.  As a system integrator that develops MEMS motion sensing platforms, Movea offers an interesting perspective.  In this interview, Mr. Rothenberg discusses emerging applications, such as interactive TV, eHealth, and sports and comments on the current MEMS sensor cost trends.  Dave also highlights some of the key challenges that MEMS system integrators are currently working through.  In addition, Mr. Rothenberg provides an overview of key players and competitors in this market segment including such companies as Hillcrest, Philips, PrimeSense, Xsens and Garmin.

Automotive MEMS sensors to return to healthy growth in 2012

The automotive MEMS sensor market will reach new heights in 2012, leaving behind the ups and downs of the last two years, including the impact of the recent Japan earthquake, according to IHS iSuppli.  Global automotive MEMS sensor revenue will jump a solid 16 percent in 2012 to $2.31 billion on its way to $2.93 billion in 2015.  The years ahead also will see expansion continuing at a healthy clip, with the overall five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2010 to 2015 projected at 9 percent.

Maxim acquires MEMS maker SensorDynamics for $130 million

SensorDynamics, a specialist in MEMS and wireless semiconductor products, announced this week that it was acquired by Maxim Integrated Products, which specializes in analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products.  Maxim, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is a Fortune 1000 company.  Maxim is paying approximately $130 million plus the assumption of about $34 million in debt to acquire SensorDynamics.

ST increasing capacity to more than 3 million MEMS sensors a day

STMicroelectronics, a leading supplier of MEMS devices for consumer and portable applications, is significantly increasing its MEMS production capacity to more than 3 million sensors a day, by the end of 2011 to sustain exploding customer demand for high-performance, cost-competitive sensing devices.  "We are leading the MEMS consumer revolution and our mission is to continue to lead the market," said Benedetto Vigna, Group Vice President and General Manager of ST's MEMS, Sensors and High Performance Analog Division.  "We are beefing up our manufacturing machine to anticipate and encourage the adoption of MEMS into such high-growth markets as healthcare, industrial and automotive.  ST is well-positioned to make micro-machined sensors ubiquitous in all domains of life."

MEMSIC's quarterly loss widens

MEMSIC, a MEMS sensor manufacturer, announced this week financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.  The company says that its magnetic sensor sales continue to increase, due to the reported growing adoption of smartphones.  MEMSIC's revenues rose to $11.4 million from $5.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.  Gross margin was 41.1% compared to 47.8% in the 2009 quarter.  Operating expenses totaled $6.3 million compared to $3.9 million in the 2009 quarter, including an increase in R&D expense to $2.3 million from $1.1 million.  Net loss in the 2010 fourth quarter was $1.1 million, compared to net loss of $0.8 million in the prior-year period.

Tablets become fastest growing MEMS market in 2011

Driven by soaring demand for Apple's iPad and Android-based alternatives, media tablets in 2011 are expected to be the fastest growing market for MEMS devices in the consumer electronics and mobile segment, according to new IHS iSuppli research.  Sales of MEMS for use in tablets will rise to $140.4 million this year, up 373 percent from a mere $29.7 million in 2010.  By 2014, tablets will become the second-largest application for MEMS sensors in the consumer and mobile space after cell phones, with revenue of $280 million.

Hillcrest Labs unveils MEMS based motion control system for next-generation TVs

Hillcrest Labs, a provider of motion control technology and interactive television applications, announced this week a new motion control system for TV manufacturers.  The  solution is designed to support new motion pointing and gesture-enabled user interfaces for navigating  applications and games on televisions.