Sensor Fusion Powers Next Generation Of Smartphones And Tablets

Motion sensing capabilities in products like the iPhone and iPad now are set to move

to the next level with the advent of sensor "fusion," a more sophisticated approach that will spur a fundamental shift in the way tablets and smartphones are designed and used, according to a new IHS iSuppli.


"MEMS sensors mainly gyroscopes, accelerometers and compasses are becoming omnipresent in smartphones and tablets," said Jrmie Bouchaud, director and principal analyst for MEMS and sensors at IHS. "While these sensors already provide user interface, gaming and navigation features that are essential to the appeal of today's mobile electronics devices, taken individually they have limitations in areas including accuracy and responsiveness." Sensor fusion potentially could enhance interfaces of any tablet or smartphone that uses a combination of a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass and 3-axis gyroscope to provide "9-axis sensor fusion," IHS predicts. IHS estimates there is a total available market for motion sensors that need 9-axis fusion amounting $850 million in 2012, and rising to $1.3 billion in 2015, as presented in the figure below.


Better sensors for better products


Gyroscopes, accelerometers and compasses each provide a different form of motion sensing. However, each sensor type has its own limitations. When the signals of the three sensors are fused together, each sensor function can compensate for the others' inherent limitations. This will yield a truly enhanced motion sensing experience that is much faster, smoother and more accurate than is possible with each sensor used individually.


However, the true benefit of combining the three devices will only be evident when a 9-axis sensor fusion is included in the applications programming interface (API) for apps developers.


"With the integration of 9-axis sensor support in the API, apps developers will be able to produce software with compelling smartphone and tablet functionality, such as immersive games and very responsive and accurate augmented reality applications for outdoor use," Jrmie Bouchaud commented. Such a development will represent a major improvement for both the Apple iOS and Android operating systems, which at present don't support full 9-axis integration from either a hardware or software perspective.


More sensible sensor fusion architectures


The software algorithms will be embedded in the sensors or may run on the application processors of tablets and smartphones. New concepts also are emerging to support a more power-efficient implementation.


IHS anticipates some handsets in 2012 will include a dedicated microcontroller to run the sensor fusion algorithms for simple processing tasks, while the application processor will be woken up only to conduct more complex applications such as indoor navigation.


InvenSense in September announced that its combo sensor with embedded 9-axis sensor fusion now is in mass production for handsets and tablets.


Microsoft Corp. also announced at the Microsoft Build Conference in September 2011 that it uses STMicroelectronics's sensor fusion solution in Windows 8. Motion sensor fusion will be embedded by Microsoft in the upcoming Windows 8 mobile operating system, IHS believes.


by: Ken Arch

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