STMicroelectronics Ships One Billionth MEMS Device
STMicroelectronics, a supplier of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices for consumer and portable applications has shipped its one billionth MEMS sensor.
ST's micro-machined accelerometers and gyroscopes have enabled motion-activated user interfaces in a number of popular consumer devices, such as game consoles, smart phones and remotes, making these more accessible and appealing to people.
Over the past five years, ST has reduced the size of MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes from more than 500mm3 to less than 10mm3 while increasing resolution, accuracy, temperature stability and reducing power consumption by a factor ten.
ST is now one of the leaders in the "Consumerisation Wave" of MEMS and its application to high-volume gaming systems and mobile applications.
The firm says it was the first major manufacturer in the world to set up a dedicated 8-inch MEMS fabrication line, to use a low-cost high-volume Land-Grid-Array package and to develop state-of-the-art calibration equipment in strong cooperation with key partners.
Currently ST produces almost 50 million MEMS motion sensors a month.
"The revolution to affordable and accurate and motion sensors has dramatically changed the way consumers interact with mobile phones, games, and other electronic devices," says Benedetto Vigna, Group Vice President and General Manager of the MEMS, Sensors and High Performance Analogue Division, STMicroelectronics.
"Combining the economy of scale with industry-leading sensor and application expertise, ST continues to strengthen its offerings in Consumer MEMS and drives the development of new and fast-moving MEMS markets, such as healthcare, industrial and automotive," he continues.
ST offers a comprehensive portfolio of micro-machined motion, pressure, magnetic and acoustic sensors. At the forefront of the technology development, ST has also started integrating multiple MEMS sensors into one package. This has led to giant leaps in functionality and performance, as well as adding autonomous processing capability and wireless connectivity for interfacing with the outside world.
According to IHS iSuppli, the MEMS market continued to grow in 2010 and revenues are expected to reach more than US$10 billion by 2014. The continued demands from consumer and mobile applications dominate the growth and these fields are expected to become the biggest MEMS segment, at US$3.2 billion, by 2014.
