STMicroelectronics has introduced INEMO-M1, a smart multi-sensor module offering 9-degrees-of-freedom sensing and a 32-bit processing unit. The integration of complex motion and magnetic sensing with processing capabilities and dedicated software in a miniaturized module brings an extraordinary degree of realism to Gaming, Human Machine Interface, Robotics, Portable Navigation Devices, and Patient Monitoring.

The INEMO-M1 System-on-Board completely senses and assimilates linear acceleration, angular velocity, earth gravity and heading, enabling users to precisely detect their direction, orientation and movements in all three dimensions. The sensing accuracy can be further enhanced with the 32-bit processing unit's capability to embed dedicated sensor-fusion software, integrating the outputs from all the sensors and employs sophisticated prediction and filtering algorithms to automatically correct measurement distortions and inaccuracies.

The 13mm x 13mm x 2mm unit integrates a 6-axis geomagnetic sensor, a 3-axis gyroscope, and an STM32, ST's ARM-Cortex based 32-bit microcontroller. The module offers a wide range of interfaces, including USB 2.0, CAN, USART, SPI, I2C, analog-to-digital channels for external inputs, and flexible power-supply options.

The module forms the core of the sensor nodes in ST's recently unveiled smart-suit prototype for Inertial Body Motion Reconstruction that recognizes complex movements of the wearer's body and translates them to a digital model with outstanding precision and speed.

ST's INEMO-M1 System-on-Board is sampling now to select customers and volume production is scheduled for Q2 2012.