Smart IMU grows fast, Fairchild's nine-axis MEMS contains multiple technologies

inductance

According to IHS, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) is expected to reach 2 billion market scales in 2019 (Figure 1), mainly applied with augmented reality and virtual reality, smartphones, drones, robots/sweeping robots, smart watches and fitness Wrist straps, 3D body tracking, etc. IMU is more demanding on the overall algorithm because the sensors are often multi-axis products such as six-axis and nine-axis.

Figure 1 Separation and IMU consumer market in 2012-2019

In order to adapt to this trend, Fairchild recently introduced the FIS1100 six-axis MEMS IMU, which integrates the proprietary AttitudeEngine motion processor and the nine-axis sensor fusion algorithm to achieve processing power as low as 1/10, which can be used to support motion, In battery powered applications.

Figure 2 Fairchild 's intelligent IMU vs. traditional architecture

Compared to traditional architectures, the AttitudeEngine processes six-axis inertial data at a high rate internally and outputs it to the host processor at a low rate that matches the needs of the application, eliminating the need for high frequency interrupts. This way, the system processor is in sleep mode for a longer period of time, providing customers with longer battery life without sacrificing functionality or accuracy. The bundled XKF3 high-performance nine-axis sensor fusion algorithm combines inertial sensor data from gyroscopes and accelerometers on the chip with data from external magnetometers. Sensor fusion also includes background auto-calibration to deliver superior performance in terms of accuracy, consistency and fluidity. Fairchild Semiconductor Market Development Director Chen Jun said that with the XKF3 sensor fusion algorithm, the FIS1100 became the world's first complete consumer electronics inertial measurement device with a positioning (four-element) specification with ±3° pitch and roll accuracy. And yaw accuracy of ±5°.

In addition, the FIS1100 is based on Fairchild 's proprietary MEMS process and is specifically designed for inertial sensors. The process includes the industry's leading 60 μm device layer (between MEMS and AttitudeEngine) with high aspect ratio, through-silicon via (TSV) interconnects and vertical electrodes, and a unique single-chip gyroscope and accelerometer with dual vacuum design .