MEMS Journal -- The Largest MEMS Publication in the World

Wearable electronics: huge opportunity for MEMS based sensors

Major companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft are increasingly getting into the wearable computing business.  The opportunity is huge, especially for makers of MEMS based sensors, electronics, and associated software.  Philippe Kahn, who created the first camera phone in 1997, is one of the pioneers in this rapidly emerging application space.  Philippe’s company, Fullpower Technologies, already has its mobile sensing technology platform MotionX embedded in solutions from companies such as Nike, Jawbone, Pioneer and JVC.  In this rare and exclusive interview, Philippe shares his views on the current wearable electronics challenges, emerging use cases and applications, intellectual property considerations, and market dynamics.  Based on his experience as a serial technology innovator and entrepreneur, Philippe also discusses the biggest successes and failures of his career, and comments on how he believes the consumer electronics industry will develop over the next decade.

Emerging MEMS sensor applications for high performance motion tracking

by Marcel van Hak
Industrial Applications Product Manager, Xsens

In the past decade, MEMS inertial sensor technology has taken huge steps in terms of accuracy, reliability and cost.  The most innovative manufacturers of inertial measurement units (IMUs), attitude and heading reference systems (AHRSs) and inertial navigation systems (INSs) have taken this opportunity to bring products to market that are good alternatives to costly and bulky fiber optic gyros (FOGs).  With MEMS IMUs comprising almost 40% of the commercial market in value in 2010, compared to 13% for FOGs (Yole Developpement), it is clear that MEMS IMUs are integrated in an increasingly larger number of applications.  This article explores some of the applications that greatly benefit from this new class of motion trackers in the $1,000 to $5,000 cost range.   For an introduction on MEMS based AHRSs, please read our earlier interview with Per Slycke, CTO of Xsens.

An overview of emerging trends in MEMS packaging

by Maarten Vraanes
Director of Consulting Services, MEMS Journal                      

MEMS packaging, as the entire MEMS ecosystem, is rapidly evolving.  Technologies such as wafer level and 3D integration are becoming increasingly important.  In this article, we outline our observations about the current and future trends of MEMS integration and packaging.  Major trends focus on developing CMOS-compatible MEMS fabrication processes for monolithic integration, such as low-temperature wafer bonding.  Another emerging trend is die stacking in low-cost leadless type semiconductor packaging -- these types of techniques provide smaller footprint packages with lower unit costs for high production volumes.  Additionally, 3D integration enables the integration of LCR passives.  Here, LCR components are embedded into the package itself to minimize external passives and accommodate smaller footprint applications, wafer bonding and vertical intra-package connectors or interposers.  On the flip side, CMOS and 3D integration of MEMS devices pose challenges in modeling, testing, and reliability.

MEMS motion sensors: ST and InvenSense patent dispute continues

InvenSense, a leading provider of MEMS motion sensors claimed this week that it won its motion to stay the patent litigation action brought by STMicroelectronics in the US District Court (Northern District of California) due to progress in separate proceedings with the United States Patent Office (USPTO) challenging the validity of all of ST's asserted patents.  InvenSense stated that all of ST's claims asserted in this litigation, initiated by ST, are now subject to USPTO reexamination proceedings.  Reportedly, USPTO has already determined that "substantial questions of patentability" exist for seven of the nine patents asserted by ST, and USPTO office actions have already been issued for four of the patent reexamination requests.  This patent dispute is yet another indication that the market for consumer grade MEMS based motion sensors has become ultra-competitive.

Tronics launches high performance MEMS gyro

Tronics, a MEMS foundry and device maker, introduced this week a new high performance MEMS based angular rate sensor (gyro) for applications such as platform stabilization.  The product is based on Tronics' MEMS-on-SOI and high vacuum wafer level packaging technologies.  Tronics has been active in the design and manufacture of high performance MEMS gyros for more than 10 years.  According to the company, the product aimed at a segment of the gyro market that is currently under-served and typically does not warrant custom development.

Ultrabooks spur massive growth in MEMS motion sensor sales

Intel's initiative to promote new features like indoor navigation and augmented reality in ultrabooks will spur dramatic growth in the sales of motion sensors for the next-generation notebook PCs, with revenue rising by a factor of 14 during the next four years.  Global sales of motion sensors -- including accelerometers, gyroscopes and compasses -- used in ultrabooks will expand to $117.3 million by 2016, up from just $8.3 million in 2012.  This equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 93.9 percent for 2012 through 2016, according to the IHS iSuppli.

Google's Nexus 7 tablet integrates MEMS motion sensors

The entry-level 8GB version of Google's new Nexus 7 media tablet carries a bill of materials (BOM) of $151.75, according to preliminary findings from IHS iSuppli.  When manufacturing expenses are added, the cost increases to $159.25.  The high-end model with 16GB of flash memory has a $159.25 BOM, for a total cost of $166.75.  When additional costs are considered, IHS iSuppli estimates that Google will at least break even on sales of the 8GB model, priced at $199 -- and will make a modest profit on the 16GB version, which is priced at $249.

Si-Ware launches development platform for MEMS inertial sensors

Si-Ware Systems (SWS), a provider of IC and MEMS based solutions for industrial and consumer applications, announced this week that it has launched its inertial sensor development platform.  According to the company, the platform is a tool for sensor developers that can be used to evaluate an inertial sensor, such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, to understand the behavior of the sensor and its performance with complete interface electronics.  The platform utilizes SWS's inertial sensor interface ASIC which is configurable and reportedly has already been used in conjunction with multiple accelerometers and gyroscopes.  Si-Ware said that the ASIC features an ultra-low noise front-end, and a highly configurable open and closed loop operation, as well as high voltage capabilities.

Gyroscopes become top consumer and mobile MEMS device

Gyroscopes were the top revenue generator in 2011 in the dominant consumer and mobile segment of the MEMS market, thanks to record sales of Apple's iPhone and iPad devices from during the final quarter of last year.  Gyroscopes netted $655.4 million in 2011, up a notable 66 percent from $394.5 million in 2010, according to an IHS iSuppli report.  Long a runner-up in its category, gyroscopes finally displaced accelerometers last year to become the revenue champion in consumer and mobile MEMS.  Gyroscopes will continue to reap top revenue honors in the next few years, projected to take in $1.1 billion by 2015, well ahead of accelerometers at $705 million.

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."