ST, Qualcomm Collaborate on Unique Sensor Solutions for Next-Gen Applications

Semiconductor specialist STMicroelectronics (ST) has extended the scope of its sensor technologies by developing innovative software solutions using technology from Qualcomm Technologies through the Qualcomm® Platform Solutions Ecosystem program.

Under this program, ST will be contributing pre-validated software to OEMs for its MEMS and other sensing devices to deliver advanced features to the next generation of smartphones, connected PCs, IoT, and wearables. Most recently, Qualcomm Technologies has pre-selected ST’s latest high-accuracy, low-power, motion-tracking IC with intelligent sensor software, along with ST’s most accurate pressure sensor, for use in its latest advanced 5G mobile reference platforms.

The motion-tracking sensor, the new iNEMO LSM6DST is a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that integrates a 3-axis digital accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope into a compact and efficient System-in-Package.

With the industry’s lowest power consumption – 0.55mA in high-performance mode and as little as 4mA in Accelerometer-only mode — the LSM6DST enables always-on high-accuracy motion tracking with minimal impact on power consumption.

In concert with ST’s low-noise (0.65Pa), high-accuracy (±0.5hPa), and industry-first I3C-enabled LPS22HH pressure sensor, the pair provides highly accurate location tracking while meeting the most restrictive power budgets.

Commenting on the development, Manvinder Singh, Vice President, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, said “ST has long recognized the importance of sensors in Qualcomm Technologies’ solutions and has been a strong collaborator for many years. They have demonstrated leadership in sensors with new interfaces such as MIPI I3C along with the ability to squeeze the power budget on its devices while maintaining or increasing sensor accuracy.” 

“We are pleased to have ST join our Qualcomm Platform Solutions Ecosystem program to integrate and optimize their advanced sensor algorithms on the always-on, low-power island of our Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Mobile Platforms. Collaboration with strategic vendors such as ST is critical to enabling the fast adoption of 5G technologies in different verticals,” Singh added.

“Having worked closely with Qualcomm Technologies for many years, we’ve been able to assure sensor performance that meets the demanding requirements of next-generation mobile and wearable devices and software solutions that can be used with the Qualcomm®  Sensor Execution Environment. These include advanced features — such as hinge- or fold-angle detection for smartphones and Mobile PCs — and enable the seamless integration and faster time-to-market of these features that customers across the globe require,” said Andrea Onetti, Group VP and General Manager, MEMS Sensor Division, STMicroelectronics.

Onetti further said “combining the industry’s lowest-power high-accuracy IMU with our high-precision, robust, and extremely stable-over-time-and-temperature pressure sensor, can enable the best possible location accuracy to meet e911 and eCall requirements.”