ST Provides Positioning Sensor Solutions for Windows 8 Tablets

STMicroelectronics (ST) and Microsoft (Microsoft) cooperation, developed to support the Windows 8 operating system human-computer interaction interface (HID) positioning sensor solutions. ST's MEMS sensor and sensor module solutions will be available in tandem with Windows 8. Several major OEMs and ODMs worldwide are already using ST's sensor solutions in Windows 8 devices.

ST's sensor modules integrate a 3-axis digital gyroscope, 3-axis digital accelerometer, 3-axis digital magnetometer, barometric pressure sensor, and high-performance STM32 microcontroller, using the I2C protocol (Inter-Integrated Circuit); among them, the 3-axis digital magnetometer has a built-in proximity sensor. The microcontroller can execute ST's NEMO engine sensor fusion algorithm.

Since 2003, ST has been providing major notebook OEMs with Windows-compatible accelerometers and drive systems to protect data from notebook hard disk drives. ST's commitment to improving end-user experience in applications such as screen positioning, gaming, compass, and navigation and the Windows 8 sensor module solutions represent ST's efforts and R&D investments to achieve this commitment.

Benedetto Vigna, corporate vice president and general manager of the Analog, MEMS, and Sensors business group at STMicroelectronics, points out that “ST's sensor module solutions allow OEMs and ODMs to quickly integrate sensors into Windows 8 tablets with consistent and high levels of performance." ST is the leading MEMS sensor manufacturer with a complete product portfolio and manufacturing resources, and the volume production of Windows 8 solutions once again increases our value to customers and further strengthens our market leadership position.

ST's sensor solutions are currently used in more than 20 platform PCs produced by major OEMs. Through integration in Windows 8 in-device application demonstrations, using standard plug-and-play HID/I2C interfaces and communication protocols, ST has significantly reduced the workload of OEMs and ODMs in integrating sensors in their designs. ST's sensor module is a promising solution that enables more functions, such as temperature monitoring and battery charging through the built-in STM32 microcontroller, further reducing the material cost and board space of the sensor.