Silicon Sensing, the Plymouth company jointly owned by BAE Systems in the UK and Sumitomo Precision Products in Japan, has launched a new generation of MEMS (micro electro-mechanical systems) angular rate sensorsThe new technology designated VSG-4, meaning fourth-generation Vibrating Structure Gyroscope, offers the high integrity and accuracy with digital control, and an extensive self-test capability.
Prototype evaluation units are now available, and have already been distributed to many automotive manufacturers. Silicon Sensing is an established supplier to the automotive industry, accredited to TS16949.
According to the company, feedback so far has been extremely encouraging.
The standard evaluation board integrates VSG-4 with a 2-axis accelerometer, thus offering a typical sensor cluster for electronic stability applications.
Vibrating Structure Gyros use a tiny vibrating silicon ring to detect angular velocity through the Coriolis Effect. The use of digital rather than analogue closed loop control of ring vibration amplitude and frequency enhances integrity, accuracy and reliability.
Silicon Sensing: www.siliconsensing.com
