High-Performance Low-Power Turnkey Pedometer Solution with Embedded Functionality

ROHM Group company Kionix, Inc., a leader in the design and manufacture of MEMS solutions, has added embedded functionality to its line of high-performance accelerometers. The KX126 tri-axis accelerometer integrates a step detector and step counter.

According to Nader Sadrzadeh, Kionix’s CEO, “As the applications for sensors grow, we look for use cases that become widespread enough to warrant embedding algorithms and functionality directly into our sensors.  Pedometry has crossed that threshold.  The usefulness of detecting when someone is walking and then counting their steps goes beyond fitness tracking – it can be adapted to assess the mobility of recuperating patients and the elderly, assist in identifying location changes, improve logistics and employee efficiency in workplaces, and more."

The trend towards embedding functionality directly in a sensor has benefits that go beyond simply providing an easy to use, turnkey pedometer solution.  It also extends battery life.  Adds Sadrzadeh: “By optimizing the algorithm for low power and then embedding it into our sensor, we add less than 100nA compared to an accelerometer running without this function.  This is a fraction of the power that would be consumed running a pedometer algorithm on an external MCU.”

About Kionix

Kionix, Inc. is a global MEMS inertial sensor manufacturer based in Ithaca, NY, USA.  Kionix offers high-performance, low-power accelerometers,  and 6-axis combination sensors plus comprehensive software libraries that support a full range of sensor combinations, operating systems and hardware platforms.  Leading consumer, automotive, health and fitness and industrial companies worldwide use Kionix sensors and total system solutions to enable motion-based functionality in their products.

Kionix was acquired by ROHM Co., Ltd. of Japan on November 16, 2009.  Kionix is able to leverage ROHM's resources as a leading semiconductor company in order to advance its technology, sustain its growth while reducing costs, and expand its global reach through an established and thriving international customer base. The Company continues to operate as Kionix and its products continue to be produced primarily at its headquarters in Ithaca, New York, USA. Kionix's commitment to customers in sales, development support, integration expertise, and pricing remains paramount.