New features added to lower-cost MEMS inertial accelerometer family

Silicon Designs has added new g-ranges, and end-user enhancements have been added to its Model 2227 MEMS inertial accelerometer series. Initially launched in October 2018 as a strictly ±25g product, the series is now provided in both ±10g and ±50g ranges. The series units now incorporate a built-in adjustable scaling factor. The scaling factor enables an end-user to accomplish greater accelerometer voltage output flexibility, at any specified g-range, of as much as 25%. The overall design of the series links two patented capacitive silicon sense elements and a precision, custom CMOS integrated circuit. The elements and circuit are both housed within a compact, low mass, hermetically sealed LCC package. Modules are constructed on a high-temperature open PCB with a circuit that converts the MEMS accelerometer differential output voltage into a level of current directly proportional to the amount of applied acceleration. The design enables the series to obtain the necessary high-stability, low-noise, long-term repeatability and low power for today’s inertial navigation applications, at a competitive price point. Final testing is carried out on a temperature-tumble-system, assuring thermal calibration parameters that simplify accelerometer use with the client’s own real-time temperature compensation and modelling software.