Silicon Designs Inc., a global industry leader in the design and manufacture of highly rugged industrial-grade MEMS capacitive accelerometer chips and modules, has announced the global market introduction of its new LG Series, a dedicated product family of low-g range chips and modules, designed to support of a variety of zero-to-medium frequency aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, industrial, and general test and measurement requirements.

The LG Series provides high-drive, low-impedance buffering for high-reliability performance in temperatures up to +125?C within a rugged, anodized aluminum housing. Series accelerometer modules produce two analog voltage outputs, which vary with acceleration and feature a four-wire connection, in support of both single ended and differential modes. The sensitive axis is perpendicular to the bottom of the package, with positive acceleration defined as applied force to the bottom of the package. Signal outputs are fully differential about a common mode voltage of approximately 2.5V and may be powered with a 9V battery. Sensitivity is independent from the +8 to +32 V supply voltage. At zero acceleration, output differential voltage is nominally 0 V DC; ?4 V DC at full-scale acceleration. On-board voltage regulation and an internal voltage reference eliminate precision power supply requirements. The LG Series is also relatively insensitive to temperature changes with quick, easy self-calibration.

The company was founded in 1983, with the goal of improving the accepted design standard for MEMS capacitive accelerometers. At that time, industrial-grade accelerometers on the market were bulky, highly fragile and costly. The engineering team at Silicon Designs listened to the needs of customers who required more compact, sensitive, rugged and reasonably priced accelerometer modules and chips that also offered higher performance. Resultant product lines were designed and built to surpass customer expectations. The company has grown steadily over the years, though its core competency remains accelerometers, with the business philosophy of "Make it better, stronger, smaller and less expensive" maintained to this day.