STMicroelectronics' Award-Winning eCompass Modules Being Used in Xiaomi Mi1S Smartphones
Honored devices raise the bar in power consumption, performance and physical
size
Geneva, December 16, 2013 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global
semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics
applications, the world's top MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems)
manufacturer, and the leading supplier of MEMS devices for consumer and mobile
applications[1], has been an early bird in introducing its LSM303D accelerometer
and magnetometer combo module to Xiaomi (Mi1S) and other emerging mobile phone
makers in China.
ST's LSM303 eCompass family combines a 3-axis magnetic-field sensor and a 3-axis
accelerometer in a single tiny 2x2x1mm module -- one of these, the LSM303C was
recently selected as "Device of the Year" by the MEMS Industry Group. These
devices accurately measure the direction and magnitude of external magnetic
fields while the module's accelerometer compensates for tilt, ensuring a very
accurate compass heading even when portable devices are inclined. This
capability provides the orientation function that is an essential part of all of
today's mobile devices.
"In smartphones and other mobile devices, every milliwatt matters," said
Benedetto Vigna, Executive Vice President and General Manager Analog, MEMS and
Sensors Group, STMicroelectronics. "The ST device meets minimal size constraints
and allows significant reductions in power consumption without compromising
performance in other areas. These advantages help manufacturers to provide
mobile devices that meet customer expectations while minimizing the drain on the
world's resources."
The low power consumption of the LSM303 Device of the Year is due to the use of
a phenomenon called Magneto Resistance (MR). MR is inherently more power-
efficient than alternative technologies, such as Hall Effect or Fluxgate that
are used in competitive eCompasses. ST engineers were able to design devices
that exploit this inherent power efficiency while still matching or exceeding
the performance of competitive devices in module size, full-scale resolution and
noise.
"Our MEMS technology continues to raise the bar in every quarter: power
consumption, performance, price, and physical size," said Vigna. "This, in turn,
allows dynamic new companies such as Xiaomi to raise the bar in their own
markets."
In addition to being the world's leading supplier of MEMS sensors, ST has
underpinned its continued strong leadership with over 900 MEMS-related patents
granted or pending worldwide.
About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the
spectrum of sense and power and automotive products and embedded processing
solutions. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from
healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office,
at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and
innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get
more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.
In 2012, the company's net revenues were $8.49 billion. Further information on
ST can be found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact:
STMicroelectronics
Michael Markowitz
Director Technical Media Relations
+1 781 591 0354
michael.markowitz@st.com
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[1] source: Consumer and Mobile MEMS Market Tracker H1 2013
STMicroelectronics eCompass in Xiaomi Smartphones:
http://hugin.info/152740/R/1750112/589625.pdf
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Source: STMicroelectronics via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1750112]
