Editor's note: In the era of the Internet of Everything, sensors have become a bridge between the physical world and the digital world. As one of the key technologies, MEMS barometric pressure sensors are quietly changing the way of intelligent perception from floor positioning to underwater detection with the advantages of high accuracy, low power consumption and small size. From mountain climbing to deep-sea diving, from E911 emergency positioning to sports health monitoring, GigaDevice is redefining the boundaries of intelligent perception driven by technological innovation.
This article is from company's submission, which will take you to explore how GigaDevice has built a complete sensor technology platform matrix through the strategy of "3 high, 1 low and 1 excellent", promoted the comprehensive breakthrough of air pressure sensing technology from consumer to industrial level, and injected new vitality into the industry.
With the rapid development of science and technology, sensors, as a key component of information acquisition, are changing people's lives and industrial patterns at an unprecedented speed. With the advantages of high precision, low power consumption and small size, MEMS barometric pressure sensors are widely used in smart devices, industrial manufacturing and many other fields, and the market scale continues to expand.
At the ongoing electronica China of Munich, GigaDevice (Booth 701 in Hall N5) showcased a high-precision barometric pressure sensor solution based on GDY1122 waterproof, which has a waterproof rating of 10ATM and excellent performance, which is suitable for accurate pressure measurement in harsh environments. With strong R&D strength, GigaDevice has built a rich and differentiated MEMS barometric pressure sensor product portfolio to comprehensively cover different market needs. The company continues to promote technological innovation, creates a complete Sensor technology platform matrix, and through the implementation of the "3 high, 1 low and 1 excellent" strategy, it continues to break through the technical bottleneck and promote the development trend of the industry.
Barometric pressure senses new forces
With its significant advantages of high accuracy, low power consumption and small size, MEMS barometric pressure sensors are deeply integrated into various scenarios of modern life. In indoor environments, MEMS barometric pressure sensors become invisible rulers for floor positioning, capturing extremely subtle differences in atmospheric pressure and achieving meter-level height recognition in skyscrapers. In the field of three-dimensional positioning, MEMS barometric pressure sensor, GPS and gyroscope form a sensor matrix, which effectively fills the vertical blind spot of traditional positioning technology. In terms of sports health monitoring, MEMS barometric pressure sensors have also shown unique application value. When climbers, the smart device worn on their wrist can use its function to quietly turn into a barometric pressure monitor to predict the risk of altitude sickness in advance. Smart bracelets worn by swimmers can also use this sensor to build an underwater safety alarm system.
Countries such as Japan and the United States stipulate that mobile phones need to have the ability to locate people at height in order to respond to emergency rescue, so MEMS barometric pressure sensors have become standard products for mobile phones. Moreover, this configuration is gradually sinking into more products, even including some children's watches.
Figure: MEMS barometric pressure sensor Roadmap
In the field of MEMS barometric pressure sensors, GigaDevice already has a clear and forward-looking product portfolio. The ordinary barometer GDY1121, as the main product for the mobile phone market, has successfully passed the E911 test. In terms of waterproof barometer products, GigaDevice also has a number of differentiated products on its product map. Among them, GDY1122 has successfully achieved mass production in the products of internationally renowned manufacturers, showing excellent market competitiveness, and the product has the ability to be waterproof at a depth of 100 meters. GDY1124 is aimed at the low-end wearable device market, supporting underwater 50-meter water resistance. The two chips are consistent in core performance, and the GDY1124 launch is designed to provide a more cost-effective solution for customers who are more cost-sensitive and have lower waterproof needs. These product solutions, whether in the high-end market to pursue the ultimate performance, or in the low-end market to focus on cost-effectiveness, can fully meet the diverse needs of different customers and different application scenarios.
From energy-saving pioneer to waterproof powerhouse
GigaDevice has mass-produced two products, fully demonstrating its innovation capabilities in the MEMS field. Among them, GDY1121 stands out for its excellent energy efficiency, with a power consumption of only 3.5μA at a 1Hz sampling rate and a typical current of 154μA in operating mode, both of which are lower than the industry average, which can be called the energy-saving benchmark for miniature sensors. The product is equipped with precision pressure capture technology, with an absolute accuracy of ±0.5hPa, a relative accuracy of ±0.06hPa, and an RMS noise as low as 0.1Pa, combined with a 24-bit high-precision ADC, which can achieve sub-Pascal-level data analysis capabilities to meet the measurement needs in harsh environments.
Figure: Functional parameters of ordinary GDY1121
Its intelligent data management architecture has a built-in 576-byte large-capacity FIFO, supports flexible interrupt function, and directly outputs the calibrated pressure value, eliminating the need for external MCU algorithm processing, significantly reducing system complexity and development cycle, and creating a plug-and-play sensing solution. In addition, the GDY1121 integrates a high-sensitivity temperature sensor, which has been successfully applied to high-reliability scenarios such as rugged mobile phones, and has passed a 48-hour stability test (deviation < 5.6Pa) to verify its all-weather stability performance.
As a reinforced version of the GDY1121, GDY1122 supports a 10ATM waterproof level, which is far ahead of similar products. The package size is 2.7x2.7x1.7mm, the absolute pressure accuracy is ±0.5hPa, the relative accuracy is ±0.06hPa, and the ADC accuracy is up to 24bit. The waterproof level is up to 10ATM, which can adapt to harsh environments.
Figure: Water resistance GDY1122 functional parameters
Another outstanding feature of the GDY1122 is the excellent waterproof encapsulation process. It is packaged in a ceramic package for increased temperature stability and stress resistance. In terms of key waterproof adhesives, traditional products mostly use transparent glue on the outer layer, which will cause deviations in accuracy if directly exposed to sunlight, but GDY1122 has undergone technological innovation to maintain data stability even in direct sunlight.
Thrust test is a classic test that simulates the mechanical thrust (such as pressing, squeezing) experienced by the sensor during installation or use, verifies the resistance to deformation of the micromechanical structure, and can simulate the daily pressure that the barometer in a wearable device needs to withstand. The test results of the GDY1122 show that the packaging strength exceeds 3500g (measured up to 4000~5000g), which can meet the requirements of harsh environments.
The technical bottlenecks faced by MEMS sensors are mainly focused on the high sensitivity of the device to stress and temperature. Because the product will be affected by the pressure measured by itself, the ambient temperature and the external pressure in the actual application, the absolute accuracy of the final measurement data will be greatly disturbed. In order to ensure the performance of the product, during the R&D process, GigaDevice carried out rigorous and meticulous verification work for the shape and packaging of the product, and minimized the impact of external factors on the product.
Looking ahead to this year, GigaDevice will also focus on launching a high-end barometric pressure sensor product that not only has accurate barometric pressure measurement capabilities, but also integrates advanced water depth measurement capabilities. The barometric pressure measurement range of the product covers the range of 300 to 1250 hPa, which is equivalent to the standard atmospheric pressure range; The water pressure measurement can reach 300 to 4000 hPa, supporting accurate detection at a depth of 30 meters. This product will be used primarily in the high-end market and is the ideal solution for customers who are looking for extreme performance.
Build a Sensor technology platform matrix
GigaDevice's goal in the field of sensors is to deepen the cultivation of sensors, signal chains, algorithms and solutions, and to be an important contributor to the whole ecosystem. Focusing on this goal, GigaDevice has built four technology platforms in the sensor business field: capacitor technology platform, spectroscopy technology platform, MEMS technology platform, algorithm and solution, each platform complements each other and can provide diversified and high-performance sensor products and solutions for different industries.
Figure: GigaDevice has built four sensor technology platforms to provide a variety of high-performance products and solutions for various industries
Capacitance technology platform: With self-capacitance and mutual capacitance detection technology as the core, high-precision ADC, high signal-to-noise ratio AFE and signal chain are used to achieve accurate measurement and signal processing of capacitance changes. It plays a key role in fingerprint recognition for mobile phones, PCs, tablets, and touch solutions of all sizes, by detecting capacitance changes to identify fingerprint features or perceive touch operations.
1. Spectroscopy technology platform: focusing on optoelectronic related technologies, covering high-performance optoelectronic pixel design, which can accurately perceive optical signals; Optical lens and microlens design to optimize light transmission and focusing; Spectral color filter design realizes the screening and processing of different spectra. Combined with high-precision ADC, high signal-to-noise ratio AFE, and signal chain, it can efficiently convert optical signals into accurate electrical signals and process them, which can be used in scenarios such as photoelectric physiological index detection.
2. MEMS technology platform: Sensor development based on MEMS technology, with the help of advanced process platform, high-precision ADC, high signal-to-noise ratio AFE, and signal chain to ensure the high accuracy and stability of the sensor. The products are widely used in floor height detection, auxiliary positioning, mobile phone height position navigation, smart watch/bracelet motion detection and other fields.
3. Algorithm and solution platform: Develop high-performance algorithms for different sensors and application scenarios, such as embedded fingerprint algorithms such as high-performance, small-area fingerprint algorithms and heart rate algorithms. It also provides customized application solutions for various industries, combining sensor data with practical application needs, improving the practicality and functionality of products, and meeting the application needs of multiple fields.
Through the strategy of "3 high, 1 low and 1 excellent" ("3 high" refers to high integration, high precision, high sensitivity; "1 low" refers to low power consumption; GigaDevice is leading the innovation of MEMS sensor technology, that is, using miniaturized integrated design to integrate multi-dimensional perception and data processing, relying on precision technology and intelligent algorithms to achieve stable measurement and high sensitivity in complex environments; The innovative low-power architecture significantly reduces energy consumption and supports long-term monitoring of mobile terminals. Build a full-chain technology ecosystem, and accelerate product implementation through preset algorithms, standardized calibration, and scenario-based solutions.
