World's smallest 3-axis gyroscope released by a leader in consumer electronics MEMS

Package size reduced by nearly half

Korea, September 9, 2011 – STMicroelectronics ( www.st.com ), the world's leading integrated semiconductor company and the number one provider of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) for consumer electronics and portable devices, has added the world's smallest high-performance 3-axis analog gyroscope to its motion sensor product portfolio.

The new product, called L3G3250A, utilizes robust and proven micromachining technology—the same technology ST has applied to its 1.54 billion previously sold motion sensors—and by combining this with an aggressive package reduction roadmap, it has enabled the first 3-axis gyroscope product capable of further reducing the footprint for next-generation applications such as gaming and virtual reality input devices, MMI (man-machine interfaces) motion control, GPS navigation systems, home appliances, and robots. This high-performance 3-axis analog output gyroscope product has a package size of only 3.5mm x 3mm x 1mm and can reduce the footprint by up to 40% from 17.6mm³ of the current production generation to 10.5mm³.

The L3G3250A, with a resonant frequency higher than the audio bandwidth, can operate with higher accuracy and reliability by providing complete immunity to audio noise, such as noise from speakers mounted adjacent to the sensor or mechanical vibrations coupled into the PCB (printed circuit board). Furthermore, by utilizing an enhanced design that enables motion measurement along three orthogonal axes with a single sensing structure, it further improves sensing accuracy and reliability and provides the industry's best output stability over time and temperature.

The L3G3250A offers two selectable full-scale values: 625 degrees per second or 2500 dps, with sensitivities of 2 mV/dps and 0.5 mV/dps, respectively. Higher full-scale values allow for the detection and measurement of very fast gestures and movements. Other features include a built-in self-test function, a wide power voltage range (2.4V to 3.6V), power-down and sleep modes to optimize power management for battery-powered equipment, low-pass and high-pass filter reset functions, and high shock resistance.

This device operates over an extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and is available in a 3.5mm x 3mm x 1mm LGA-16 ECOPACK® RoHS and “Green” compliant package. Engineering samples are currently available, and mass production is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2011. The price per unit is $3.95 for quantities of 1,000. For large quantities, please contact your local ST sales office.