Date: 13/05/2012

Development Platform to evaluate gyroscope, accelerometer sensors

Egypt based Si-Ware Systems has launched a Inertial Sensor Development Platform, the SWS61111 to evaluate an inertial sensor, such as a gyroscope or accelerometer, to understand the behaviour of the sensor and its performance with complete interface electronics. The SWS61111 utilizes SWS's high performance inertial sensor interface ASIC, the SWS1110 (formerly SWI210).

"For a number of years now we have been developing and utilizing development platforms internally that allow us to quickly and accurately understand and model the behaviour of our partners' MEMS devices," said AymanElsayed, ASIC solutions division manager at Si-Ware Systems. "With a thorough understanding of the MEMS device and its behaviour with interface electronics, potential pitfalls can be avoided and an interface ASIC can be developed much more efficiently."

The SWS61111 consists of a programming board, anASIC daughter board with a sensor placeholder, a USB interface, and associated PC software. SWS provides options for mounting the sensor to the daughter board, including creating custom daughter boards to match a particular sensor. Through an easy to use software interface, the MEMS sensor can be interrogated and the ASIC parameters configured to best match the sensor. If desired, the ASIC parameters can then be burned into the memory of the ASIC and the sensor-ASIC daughter board can be removed and utilized for system level measurements.