STMicroelectronics Packs Some AI Smarts in Its Latest 320g-Range LSM6DSV320X IMU Sensor
A Machine Learning Core carries out inference on-device, freeing up the host processor for other tasks.
STMicroelectronics has unveiled what it says is an "industry-first" device: an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with dual MEMS accelerometer and embedded artificial intelligence (AI), capable of full-scale readings up to 320g.
"We continue to unleash more and more of the potential in our cutting-edge AI MEMS sensors to enhance the performance and energy efficiency of today's leading smart applications," says STMicro's Simone Ferri of the company's latest IMU. "Our new inertial module with unique dual-sensing capability enables smarter interactions and brings greater flexibility and precision to devices and applications such as smartphones, wearables, smart tags, asset monitors, event data recorders, and larger infrastructure."
Dubbed the LSM6DSV320X, the new six-axis inertial measurement module is a standard footprint — 3×2.5mm, or around 0.12×0.1" — but contains two separate MEMS accelerometers. The first is the "low-g channel," which can be set to ±2, ±4, ±8, or ±16g and reads at the highest resolution; the second is the "high-g channel," which can be set to ±32, ±64, ±128, ±256, or ±320g but provides a lower resolution. Both provide full-scale readings, while the gyroscope supports reporting rates of ±250, ±500, ±1,000, ±2,000, and ±4,000 degrees per second.
When STMicro talks about the "AI" in its LSM6DSV320X, it means the Machine Learning Core (MLC) — a low-power device designed to perform machine learning inference operations directly on-sensor, freeing up the host processor for other tasks. As with other MLC-equipped parts from the company, it also features "adaptive self-configuration" — and libraries are provided for sensor fusion, context awareness, and other tasks, while the core can run pedometer, step-detector, step-counter, significant motion detection, tilt detection, fall detection, and a range of standard interrupts out-of-the-box.
The IMU connects to the host over SPI, I2C, and MIPI I3C interfaces with main processor data synchronization, while secondary SPI and I3C connections carry gyroscope and accelerometer data outputs. The company says that the part draws just 0.67mA in "combo high-performance mode," while a nine-axis configuration bumps that to 0.8mA — all at a 1.08–3.6VDC power range when using SPI or I3C, or a narrower 1.62–3.6VDC range when using I2C.
The LSM6DSV320X is now available to order from STMicro direct , starting at $9.31 in single-chip quantities and dropping to $5.03 per unit for orders of 500 chips.