About UsNew Inertial Modules from ST Enables AI Training inside the Sensor
The ISM330ISN 6-axis inertial measurement unit, uses its embedded intelligence to deliver unrivaled performance and accuracy
STMicroelectronics has introduced a range of new inertial sensors that contain the intelligent sensor processing unit (ISPU) within the sensor. Allowing faster response times and less burden on the external microcontroller, these sensors are ideal for AI applications and take IoT devices to the next level.
The ISM330ISN always-on 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) for movement and position sensing uses its embedded intelligence to deliver unrivaled performance and accuracy for its size and power. Ideal for IoT and industrial applications, ST's new IMU sets, accelerate response times and extend battery life in equipment such as condition monitors for predictive maintenance, as well as battery-operated asset trackers and industrial applications such as robots.
The intelligence built into the ISM330ISN enables smart devices to perform advanced motion-detection functions within the sensor without the need for interaction with an external microcontroller (MCU), thus saving power at the system level. ST's approach integrates a specialized processor, the ISPU, in a small area directly on the sensor chip, optimized for machine-learning applications. This enables the ISM330ISN module to have a 50% smaller footprint and consume 50% less power than a typical co-packaged Microcontroller Unit.
Developers can program the ISPU using ST's NanoEdge AI Studio, a ST software tool that many customers have used to deploy AI applications on STM32 microcontrollers. This technology is now available for programming the ISPU, enabling users to easily generate automatically optimized machine-learning libraries. Designing an anomaly detection library with AI learning capability directly inside the ISPU is possible with minimal data and just a few clicks. No specific data-science skills are needed.
“Intelligence formerly implemented at the network edge, in an application processor, is now moving to the deep edge, inside the sensor,” said Simone Ferri, General Manager of Marketing, Analog MEMS and Sensors Group, STMicroelectronics. “Our ISM330ISN IMU heralds a new category of smart sensors, leveraging embedded AI to handle complex operations such as pattern recognition and anomaly detection with greatly increased efficiency and performance.”
While presenting new AI-powered creative opportunities, the ISM330ISN has the same 3mm x 2.5mm x 0.83mm package outline as previous conventional inertial modules. Hence designers can quickly upgrade their products and cost-effectively, with no obligation to change an established printed circuit board layout.
Features of the ISM330IS iNEMO inertial module include:
- 3-axis accelerometer with selectable full scale: ±2/±4/±8/±16 g
- 3-axis gyroscope with selectable full scale: ±125/±250/±500/±1000/±2000 dps
- Embedded ISPU: ultra-low-power, high-performance programmable core to execute signal processing and AI algorithms in the edge
- Low-power consumption: 0.59 mA in high-performance mode, 0.46 mA in low-power mode (gyroscope + accelerometer only, ISPU not included)
- Low noise: 70 µg/ √Hz in high-performance mode
- Sensor hub feature to efficiently collect data from additional external sensors
- SPI / I²C serial interface
- Analog supply voltage: 1.71 V to 3.6 V with independent IO supply (1.62 V)
- Embedded temperature sensor
- Temperature range from -40 to +85 °C
More information on the ISM330IS iNEMO inertial module is available on the ST website at STMicroelectronics ISM330IS product page.
The STMicroelectronics website address is www.st.com
[Reprinted with kind permission from STMicroelectronics - Release Date, 16th June, 2022]