Accelerometer with built-in noise filtering function
16/03/2020
ROHM Group company Kionix has announced the availability of an accelerometer ideal for high-accuracy, low-power motion-sensing applications in the industrial equipment and consumer wearable markets.In recent years, as factories have begun to save labour costs and increase efficiency, the concept of predictive maintenance for detecting abnormalities before equipment malfunction occurs has gained broad acceptance. This has increased the need for machine health monitoring, along with the need for the use of sensors to detect equipment conditions (ie motor vibration).
The KX134-1211 is a three-axis accelerometer optimised for machine condition monitoring. Advanced data path (ADP) technology allows noise filtering and sensor signal processing to be performed by the accelerometer, a process that is normally carried out by the microcontroller unit (MCU). They contribute to reducing MCU load and power consumption, together with improved application performance. In addition, in order to meet industrial requirements, the sensing frequency and acceleration detection ranges have been increased to 8500 Hz and ±64 g, respectively, while supporting operating temperatures up to 105°C. At the same time, the sensor itself consumes less than half the current (0.67 μA in low-power mode) compared to conventional products. Additional features include ‘wake up’ and ‘back to sleep’ functions that contribute to lower power consumption, enabling sensing operation in battery-equipped wearable devices.
A leading supplier of compact accelerometers, Kionix is responding to market needs by developing products for the industrial sector. Kionix will continue to contribute to a growing Internet of Things (IoT) society by expanding its sensor line-up featuring high accuracy and low power consumption.
Key features:
- Original advanced data pass technology reduces the microcontroller unit load – ADP is Kionix’s new function, which replaces the filtering function of conventional microcontroller units. Specifically, multiple customisable frequency filters built into the sensor eliminate unnecessary noise signals by employing a versatile configuration that extracts only the necessary signals. Each filter can be switched on and off, providing flexible operation. Frequency filtering and signal power calculation (root-mean-square calculation), conventionally carried out by a host microcontroller unit, can now be performed on sensor side, reducing microcontroller unit load and the associated power consumption.
- It is ideal for machine condition monitoring of industrial equipment – the KX132-1211 features a maximum frequency band of 4200 Hz and an acceleration detection range from ±2 g to ±16 g, while the high-grade KX134-1211 expands the frequency band to 8500 Hz and the acceleration range from ±8 g to ±64 g. In addition, both models provide stable operation up to 105°C, unlike conventional products, which can only operate up to 85°C. The higher operating temperature supports a wider range of frequency and acceleration detection, making it ideal for machine condition monitoring applications such as motor vibration analysis in industrial equipment.
- Device and application power consumption are reduced – the KX134-1211 consumes 63% lower current than the current consumption of other conventional products (0.67 μA in low-power mode). In addition, a high-resolution ‘wake up’ function reports when acceleration exceeds a user-defined value. A ‘back to sleep’ function prompts the MCU to switch back to energy-saving mode when acceleration is not detected for a certain period of time. Reducing power consumption of not only the accelerometer but also the MCU while the signal of interest is absent improves the power efficiency of the entire application, contributing to longer battery life in portable devices such as wearable and automotive smart keys.
