World's First Dual-Core Gyroscope from STMicroelectronics Handles Smart User Interface and Image Stabilization in Phones and Tablets

GENEVA, Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and the leading supplier of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) for consumer and portable applications[1], has introduced the market's first dual-core gyroscope capable of handling both user-motion recognition and camera image stabilization. With the innovative system architecture of the ST device, equipment manufacturers only need to use a single gyroscope for the two different functions, reducing the size, system complexity, and cost in mobile phones, tablets, and other smart consumer devices.

The innovative design of ST's dual-core 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."

Addressing power constraints in battery-operated portable devices, ST's new gyroscope includes power-down and sleep modes and an embedded FIFO (first-in first-out) memory block for smarter power management. The sensor outputs data through independent I(2)C and SPI interfaces and offers additional digital embedded features, such as configurable low- and high-pass filters. The gyroscope embeds a temperature sensor and can operate with any supply voltage over the range of 2.4 to 3.6V.

ST's L3G4IS dual-core gyroscope is sampling now and volume production is scheduled for Q2 2012, with unit pricing at $3.9 for volumes in the range of 1,000 pieces. For pricing at higher volumes, please contact your ST sales office.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2010, the Company's net revenues were $10.35 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. 

[1] IHS iSuppli: H1 2011 Consumer and Mobile MEMS Market Tracker, August 2011

SOURCE STMicroelectronics