Press Release

Development of the World's Smallest-Class Digital 3-Axis Accelerometer

Tokyo, Japan, April 3, 2006—Hitachi Metals, Ltd. announced today that it has further expanded its product lineup by developing the world’s smallest-class digital 3-axis accelerometer that generates digital signals.

1. Background and Overview

3-axis accelerometers*1 are used for accidental fall detection in devices that are fitted with mobile hard disk drives, such as music players and notebook computers. They are also used to detect acceleration in navigation and traffic control systems, in sensors for motion measurement and security systems, as well as in a broad range of other applications. Based upon these applications, they are drawing increasing interest in the digital consumer electronics industry.

While leading the industry through its unique micromachine*2 and precision assembly technologies, Hitachi Metals has previously developed 3-axis accelerometers that output analog signals. Recently, based upon customer recognition of their performance and functions, these accelerometers are being increasingly employed for free-fall detection and other applications in devices that are fitted with hard disk drives, and uses are expected to continue expanding. Amidst these circumstances, customer demands are increasing for an accelerometer that outputs digital signals and remains among the world’s smallest. Customers are also expressing a variety of new demands, including calls for greater precision in the measurement of acceleration, and higher performance in free-fall detection.

In response to customer demands, Hitachi Metals drew upon its proprietary device design, circuit design and mounting technologies to successfully develop the world’s smallest-class digital 3-axis accelerometer (H34CD type). At the same time, the new accelerometer also delivers greater precision as well as higher performance in free-fall detection. This new product is also compatible with digital interface*3, providing for improved acceleration correction functions and higher precision. Moreover, the sensor itself is equipped with functions to detect falls. This allows it to be loaded onto compact devices, which we expect to lead to an even wider range of applications.

Hitachi Metals will continue responding to varied customer requirements by enhancing its lineup of 3-axis accelerometers, which now includes analog, digital and wireless types. Though Hitachi Metals has an established history of steadily introducing new products to the electronics industry, we will achieve sustainable growth through the launch of such Only One, No. 1 new products.

World's Smallest-Class Digital 3-Axis Accelerometer
** Scale=1 mm

2. Features

1)	High-precision compensation function Achieves high-precision compensation functions for sensitivity and zero G offset*4 through a more narrow adjusting step size Adjusting step size with sensitivity of 0.8% and offset voltage of 1.5 mg Highly accurate adjustment according to user preference is possible in relation to offset function 3-axis digital output through I2C*5 interface
2)	Low power consumption Power-source voltage of analog portion: 2.2 to 3.6 V; Power-source voltage of digital interface portion 1.7 to 3.6 V A low current drain of 0.5 mA when operating at 3 V
3)	Autonomous free-fall detection functions The sensor itself is equipped with functions to compensate for erroneous detection signals and to detect falls Stand-alone operation eliminating the need for an external microcomputer (operates without I2C)
4)	Extremely small and thin size Package size 3.4×3.7×0.92 mm
5)	Temperature sensor capable of digital output Potential use as temperature sensor

3. Specifications

Item	Newly developed product (H34CD type)
Rated acceleration	Options from ±2g /±4g (1g = 9.8 m/s2)
Power-source voltage	Analog portion: 2.2 to 3.6 V Digital interface portion: 1.7 to 3.6 V
Current drain	Power-source voltage 3V/hr., 0. 5mA, less than 10μA in standby mode
Bit output	12 bit
Interface	I2C
Operating temperature range	-35°C to +85°C
Shock durability	More than 5,000 g
Package size	3. 4×3. 7×0. 92 mm

4. Applications

1)	Free-fall detection in mobile devices
2)	Input devices for mobile devices
3)	Medical and health devices, motion measurement
4)	ITS related (navigation and traffic control systems)
5)	Security systems
6)	Game devices

5. Scheduled Beginning of Sample Shipments

From May 2006

6. Hitachi Metals Sales Plan for 3-axis Accelerometer Lineup

Fiscal 2006	¥2 billion
Fiscal 2007	¥4 billion
Fiscal 2008	¥7 billion

7. Other

The product will be introduced and displayed at Sensor Expo Japan 2006, to be held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center “Tokyo Big Sight” from Wednesday, April 5 to Friday, April 7, 2006.

Customer Inquiries:
	America
		John Weidner Hitachi Metals America, Ltd. 2101 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 116 Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4142 Telephone:+1-847-364-7200 x8207 Facsimile:  +1-847-364-7279
	Asia
		Yoshito Sano Information System Components Company , Hitachi Metals, Ltd. Telephone: +81-3-5765-4206 Facsimile: +81-3-5765-8319
	Press inquiries:
		Toshinori Hata Corporate Communications Office, Hitachi Metals, Ltd. Telephone: +81-3-5765-4082 Facsimile: +81-3-5765-8312

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Additional information

Notes:

*1 3-axis accelerometer Sensors that can detect acceleration in three dimensions. They use silicone semiconductors and the piezoresistance effect to detect movement and acceleration on three axes. *2 Micromachine Technology A technology that produces a microscopic spatial structure on the top or on both the top and bottom of a silicon wafer *3 Digital Interface A device or protocol that acts as an intermediary for the exchange of information in digital format *4 Zero G Offset Voltage output detected at zero acceleration *5 I2C A communications format .