Sourcing guide:

MEMS sensor devices: Selection specifications, vendors and products-P2

MEMS Gyroscope:

Introduction: MEMS Gyroscope measures or maintains orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. A self-tuned resonator in the drive axis and a micro-g sensor in the sensing axis together form a Gyroscope.

Key Specifications:

Measurement range: This parameter specifies the maximum angular speed with which the sensor can measure, and is typically in degrees per second (°/sec).
Number of sensing axes: Gyroscope is available that measure angular rotation in one, two, or three axes. Multi-axis sensing gyros have multiple single-axis gyros oriented orthogonal to one another. Vibrating structure gyroscopes are usually single-axis (yaw) gyros or dual-axis gyros, and rotary and optical gyroscope systems typically measure rotation in three axes.
Shock Survivability: In systems where both linear acceleration and angular rotation rate are measured, it is important to know how much force the gyroscope can withstand before failing. Fortunately gyroscopes are very robust, and can withstand a very large shock (over a very short duration) without breaking. This is typically measured in g's (1g = earth's acceleration due to gravity), and occasionally the time with which the maximum g-force can be applied before the unit fails is also given.
Bandwidth: The bandwidth of a gyroscope typically measures how many measurements can be made per second. Thus the gyroscope bandwidth is usually quoted in Hz.

Angular Random Walk (ARW): This is a measure of gyro noise and has units of deg/hour1/2 or deg/sec1/2. It can be thought of as the variation (or standard deviation), due to noise, of the result of integrating the output of a stationary gyro over time. So, for example, consider a gyro with an ARW of 1°/sec1/2 being integrated many times to derive an angular position measurement: For a stationary gyro, the ideal result - and also the average result - will be zero. But the longer the integration time, the greater will be the spread of the results away from the ideal zero. Being proportional to the square root of the integration time, this spread would be 1° after 1 second and 10° after 100 seconds.
Scale factor (SF): is the ratio between the output and input signals in the linear regime of measurements. For rate gyroscopes with analog voltage output, SF is often expressed in V/(deg/s) or V/(deg/hour).
Angular/Rotary Axis: Angular axes may be referred to as yaw, pitch, and roll.
Operating Temperature: The temperature ranges over which devices must operate.
Package: Package style, terminal style, number of terminals, etc.,

Parts selection table from key gyroscope vendors

Data Sheet Links:

http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/ADIS16133.pdf
http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/ADXRS450.pdf
http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/ADXRS649.pdf
http://www.gladiatortechnologies.com/DATASHEET/G200_DualAxisGyro_datasheet_112311.pdf
http://invensense.com/mems/gyro/documents/PS-ISZ-0505B.pdf
http://invensense.com/mems/gyro/documents/PS-Ixx-21X0A-00-01-2.pdf
http://www.coventor.com/mems-products/new-kionix-gyro-sets-low-power-benchmark-for-consumer-grade-devices/
http://www.pinpoint-gyro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/PinPoint-CRM100-00-0100-132_Rev-6.pdf
http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHNICAL_RESOURCES/TECHNICAL_LITERATURE/DATASHEET/DM00043564.pdf
http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHNICAL_RESOURCES/TECHNICAL_LITERATURE/DATASHEET/DM00036481.pdf
http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHNICAL_RESOURCES/TECHNICAL_LITERATURE/DATASHEET/DM00024645.pdf
http://www.vti.fi/sites/default/files/documents/cmr3000_d01_datasheet_82106500.a02.pdf

New products highlights:
· Bosch Sensortec says it has launched "BMG160", the world's smallest tri-axial Gyroscope with low power consumption and low noise for smartphone and gaming applications.
· The new dual-core gyroscope "L3G4IS" is launched from STMicro for both user motion and image stabilization in smart phones.
· Kionix, Inc. says that it offers "KGY23" which becomes low power benchmark for consumer grade devices. "KGY23" is a 2nd generation, 3-axis Gyro with low power, low noise, and excellent bias stability over temperature.
· STMicro offers "L3G462A" gyro housed inside an ultra small package specially made for mobiles.
· VTI Technologies offers "CMR3000" for consumer electronic applications where the current consumption is 5mA with a 80Hz bandwidth.
· Chipworks has confirmed that the MEMS gyroscope found inside the iPhone 4 is nearly identical to an off-the-shelf STMicroelectronics "L3G4200D" gyroscope.
· LG Electronics (LG) has selected the InvenSense's "IXZ-500" dual-axis MEMS gyroscope for the Magic Motion Remote Control within their ultra-slim INFINIA line of LED-backlight LCD 3D TVs.

MEMS Microphone: