Kionix reduces power consumption, speeds multiplexed switching for HDD protection

ITHACA, USA: Kionix Inc., a leading provider of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensors for portable consumer devices, announced a new tri-axis analog accelerometer that improves multiplexed switching for hard-disk-drive (HDD) protection by 400% over its predecessor, the KXPB5, which is scheduled for obsolescence this year. The new KXTH5 boosts the speed at which the hard disk drive can detect a “drop,” thereby increasing system robustness.

Kionix is the largest supplier of accelerometers to the global HDD market, which the analyst firm iSuppli estimates reached nearly 170M units during the last quarter of 2010. Further broadening the Kionix product portfolio of accelerometers, the KXTH5 features:

* An integrated 4-channel multiplexer that decreases system microcontroller (MCU) requirements to only 1 analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and 2 digital I/O’s, reducing part count and saving cost and board space;
* A very high sampling rate of 32 kHz per axis that, when combined with the short 5µs settling time of the integrated multiplexer, can match the performance of three separate analog outputs;
* A high signal-to-noise ratio with excellent performance over temperature, improving resolution of motion;
* Low noise density that improves resolution and accuracy;
* Low power consumption of 350 µA when operating and 5 µA on standby;
* Customizable operation at any value between 1.8V and 3.6V DC, programmed at the factory to function correctly at the customer-specified voltage;
* Factory-programmable sensitivity that allows a customization range at any value between ±1.5g to ±6g, tailoring the function to the customer’s application;
* Noise management with factory-programmable options for a switched-capacitor low-pass filter or no low-pass filter; and
* A very small 3x5x0.9mm 14-pin Land Grid Array (LGA) package.

The KXTH5 is a direct response to customer demand for a low-power, low-noise, lower-cost product that supports fast multiplexed switching speeds.

The KXTH5 is now shipping to qualified customers.