Murata's SCH16T-K01 6DoF Inertial Sensor Promises High Precision, No Field Calibration Required

Japanese electronics firm Murata Manufacturing has announced the launch of a "next-generation" combined gyroscope and accelerometer sensor, offering what the company claims is "high-precision" sensing for machine control and more: the SCH16T-K01.

The first in what the company says will be a multi-device SCH16T family of six degrees of freedom (6DoF) sensors, the SCH16T-K01 is based on a new generation of Murata's 3D micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor technology — delivering, in the company's own words, "an unmatched level of performance" with high stability.

"The SCH16T-K01 includes a sophisticated gyro with typical bias instability of 0.5dph and up to 0.3mdps/√Hz noise density," the company claims of its creation. "The accelerometer has a dynamic range of up to 26g, which provides resistance against saturation and vibration. Overall, the component exhibits excellent linearity and offset stability through the whole temperature range."

The sensor also includes internal cross-axis compensation, which Murata claims eliminates the need for long-winded end-user and field calibration steps — while delivering enough accuracy for use in construction and agricultural machinery and material handling equipment. The sensor includes a ±300°/s angular measurement rate, ±8g acceleration measurement range plus the redundant channel with "up to" ±26g dynamic range, and a clock domain synchronization input.

More information on the SCH16T-K01 is available on the Murata website; the company has not yet disclosed pricing. An evaluation board is also planned, but had not been released into the channel at the time of writing.