SensorDynamics http://www.sensordynamics.cc, a producer of sensors for the automotive and manufacturing industries, launched four new MEMS gyroscopes: SD705 to SD708 in a tiny QFN40 package. The sensors are characterized by low cross sensitivity to shock and vibration; and provide a stable rate signal in the short as well as the long time range due to their good noise performance. This makes them well suited for ambitious measurement and control applications such as mobile satellite tracking or yaw control of model helicopters. In addition, the sensors feature continuously working self-diagnosis functions without the need to interrupt measurement data acquisition.

The four gyroscopes in the SD70x line differ with respect to their supply voltage, which is either 3.3 V or 5 V, and regarding the direction of their sensitive axis, which is either in the sensor’s assembly plane (X-gyro) or perpendicular to it (Z-gyro). All sensors have a SPI interface and simultaneously provide two calibrated measurement ranges of ±100°/s and ±300°/s. As a special advantage for control applications the rate signals of both measurement ranges does not saturate until ±128°/s and ±512°/s, respectively; hence fast movements that exceed the measurement range can still be captured. The gyroscopes can easily be adapted to the customer’s application since they are calibrated over the whole operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C to a maximum error of ±5°/s and need only a few external components to operate. More details are to be found in the data sheet on http://www.sensordynamics.cc.

The SD706 and SD705 are available now. The 1k price is 15$. Samples and evaluation boards can be ordered on the SensorDynamics website http://www.sensordynamics.cc. Due to their PWM outputs, the evaluation boards can be used directly in customer applications.