LIS331DLMTR

The LIS331DLMTR belongs to the family of MEMS low power 3-axis linear accelerometers, and these types of accelerometers are an important class of motion sensors. An accelerometer is a device that measures acceleration, and the acceleration generated by the inertial forces due to the motion of a body in a given direction. Normally an accelerometer can measure up to three linear axes, as it is the case of LIS331DLMTR.

The LIS331DLMTR is composed of a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) sensing element and an application interface IC. The MEMS sensing element comprises a cantilever beam that moves under external acceleration. This movement induces a voltage which is measured, amplified, filtered and processed by the application interface IC. The output voltage is proportional to the external acceleration applied.

Applications of the LIS331DLMTR are diverse, from use in traditional accelerometer applications such as tilt sensing, shock/vibration measurement and navigation/guidance, over consumer products like game control and interactive toys, as well as industrial applications like position feedback and vehicle movement measurement. Its low power consumption makes it ideal for battery operated applications.

Use in navigation/guidance systems is one of the most significant and widespread application fields for the LIS331DLMTR. Geospatial position of an object or vehicle is determined through the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS), but GPS is not capable to determine the true orientation of the object. This is where an accelerometer like the LIS331DLMTR can be of great assistance. Using its three linear axes, the LIS331DLMTR can detect the roll, pitch, and yaw of the object, and using this data provide orientation information in addition to GPS coordinate data.

With the help of its lower power consumption, acceleration sensors like LIS331DLMTR are increasingly used in mobile applications. Detection of the mobile device’s position and motion allow interaction software of the mobile device to provide the user with an augmented reality experience.

In many markets such as industrial, automotive, medical, and gaming, shock and vibration measurement application of the LIS331DLMTR finds increasing use. The LIS331DLMTR’s linear accelerometers provide an accurate measurement of shock events accruing in these areas, allowing the machines to detect faults, potential problems, or safety issues.

LIS331DLMTR with its fast response time and compact package makes it ideal for motion control applications like accelerometer based joystick or tilt sensors. Being small, light, and cheap LIS331DLMTR is an excellent candidate for these applications, either alone or in combination with other components.

The extremely low power modes allow for motion detection while consuming very little energy. With this feature, Counting and recording the number of vibrations, detecting door opening and closing, or measuring the fall of an object are achievable low power operation scenarios.