Analog Devices Introduces First Programmable MEMS Gyroscope.

NORWOOD, Mass. -- iSensor(TM) Gyroscope, First to Provide Digital Range Scaling for Industrial Applications, Enables Cost-Effective Embedded Angular Rate Sensing to Be Implemented in Record Time

Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI), a global leader in high performance semiconductors for signal-processing applications, today unveiled the newest addition to its iSensor(TM) family of highly integrated intelligent sensors, a low power, highly programmable gyroscope that contains all of the embedded calibration, tuning, and control functionality required to detect the rate at which a system is rotating. The single-component solution, which leverages Analog Devices' iMEMS(R) Motion Signal Processing(TM) technology, requires less than half the design space of existing multi-component discrete solutions, but offers more advanced control functionality. Using the iSensor gyroscope, designers of industrial applications where control is essential - such as instrumentation, platform stabilization and navigation - can realize the benefits of inertial sensing in their systems at a lower cost and up to six-month faster development times.

In the past, designers needed to invest significant development time to integrate embedded control features around available gyroscope cores, as well as investing in the capability to motion test and calibrate the sensors; in addition, significant and costly evaluation and prototype design iterations were required to tune the sensor to their system requirements. The ADIS16250 fills a product gap between the ultra high performance, high cost, and fully integrated gyros well known to the military, and the more recently available moderate performance and less integrated gyros which require significant expertise and test infrastructure on the part of the end-user.

"Gyroscopes have traditionally been used in military and automotive applications in which designers have years of in-house expertise with sensor cores and the test infrastructure required to tune them," said Andy Garner, product line director of the iSensor group at Analog Devices. "However, there are other applications -industrial navigation, stabilization and precise instrument movement, for instance - that benefit from being able to determine motion or direction. In the past, low volumes and lack of expertise would have dissuaded designers from investing in gyroscope technology. Now, Analog Devices' iSensor gyroscope embeds all the test infrastructure and functionality needed to facilitate these new applications, at one tenth the cost of the high-end gyros available today."

About the ADIS16250 iSensor Gyroscope

The ADIS16250 gyroscope builds on the ADIS1620x family of iSensor accelerometers that was announced in October 2005. The ADIS16250 is the first MEMS gyroscope to provide both digital range scaling and embedded programmability, eliminating a significant barrier to integrating gyroscopes into industrial systems. The programmable features are accessible via a standard interface, enabling rapid adaptation to application-specific requirements, and easing design challenges by providing direct control of device sensitivity, sample rate and output filtering.

The gyroscope output is pre-calibrated and indicates the rate at which the device is rotating. Depending on the application requirements, the user can digitally scale the sensitivity from +/- 80 degrees per second to +/- 320 degrees per second, with the device dynamic range scaling with it. Some applications require a wider range of measurement and can accept lower sensitivity to achieve it, while others require higher sensitivity at a lower range of measurement. Unlike competitive offerings, which require different product options for different measurement ranges, the ADIS16250 gyroscope provides designers with the flexibility to scale the device in-system to meet their application requirements.

At the core of the iSensor gyroscope is ADI's iMEMS gyroscope, which is well-suited for high-volume cost sensitive applications. The ADIS16250 is designed for applications where design flexibility and ease-of-use are critical. It provides an easily programmable SPI interface, enabling designers to control such key device parameters as sample rate, filter response, self test, rate alarms and power management modes. By empowering designers to control these specifications, the ADIS16250 eliminates the need for sophisticated system design, detailed debugging, and extensive external control. It also includes auxiliary ADC (analog-to-digital converter) and DAC (digital-to-analog converter) ports, and general purpose I/O for easy interfacing to other sensors and for further system control.

Device outputs are factory calibrated, providing accurate sensing while eliminating significant customer expense and test infrastructure requirements. The ADIS16250 also features an auto-zero mechanism, allowing in-system calibration to account for system tolerances and drifts.

Availability and Pricing

The ADIS16250 iSensor gyroscope is sampling now with full production slated for August 2006. The sensor is available for $48.50 per unit in 1,000-piece quantities. The device is packaged in an 11 mm x 11 mm x 5.8 mm laminate-based LGA (land grid array) package. For additional information, please visit http://www.analog.com/isensor.

About Analog Devices

Innovation, performance, and excellence are the cultural pillars on which Analog Devices has built one of the most long-standing, high-growth companies within the technology sector. Acknowledged industry-wide as the world leader in data conversion and signal conditioning technology, Analog Devices serves over 60,000 customers around the world, representing virtually all types of electronics equipment. Celebrating more than 40 years as a leading global manufacturer of high-performance integrated circuits used in analog and digital signal processing applications, Analog Devices, Inc. is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, and employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. It has manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Ireland, and the Philippines. Analog Devices' common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and ADI is included in the S&P 500 Index.

iSensor and Motion Signal Processing are trademarks and iMEMS is a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc.