STMicroelectronics to Highlight Convergence of Sensors and Wireless Technologies at M2M Forum 2008

Booth demonstrations and conference presentation will emphasize enablers for the Internet of Things

Geneva, April 2008 - At the M2M Forum 2008 in Milan (Crowne Plaza Hotel, April 2008), STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), one of the world’s largest suppliers of semiconductors, will showcase multiple competencies for the convergence of sensing, communications and networking. This convergence of technologies is taking place to enhance entertainment, safety, healthcare industrial-control, resource-management, consumption-monitoring, asset-tracking and numerous other applications.

ST will demonstrate novel M2M (Machine-to-Machine) solutions combining its MEMS sensor with Bluetooth® and ZigBee® network modules at its exhibition booth. In addition, Giampaolo Bonaldi, Marketing Engineer at ST’s MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) Division, will present a paper discussing physical sensors for wireless sensor applications to the Sensors Summit conference, which is also part of the event.

Visitors to the ST booth will be able to witness two aerobic-style gaming applications using ST’s MotionBee™ smart sensor to communicate information about a person’s movements. ‘KeepMoving’ demonstrates how data from multiple sensors can be collected, locally processed, and communicated using ZigBee networking to enable computer-based supervision of several players. The second demo, ‘Pong’, uses MotionBee to communicate raw data to a central processor, which maps the motion data to a graphical representation of the game.

Further demonstrations will show how miniaturized MEMS sensing solutions solve advanced monitoring and control challenges, even together with turnkey Bluetooth modules from ST. A smart 3D pointer combining Bluetooth technology with accelerometer and gyroscope sensors from ST’s MEMS portfolio will introduce advanced control of handheld devices and presentation equipment. The demonstration will effectively show continuous monitoring of the pointer orientation as well as support for features such as clicking, scrolling and remote control of networked devices.

“Our demonstrations will show practically how smart sensors provide high flexibility and freedom in application design and configuration” said Giampaolo Bonaldi. “Convergence between smart sensors and wireless networking will allow M2M to deliver its full potential, enabling the Internet of Things for monitoring, management and control of numerous aspects of our environment.”

At the Smart Sensors Summit of the M2M Forum conference program, Bonaldi will describe the latest technologies enabling smart sensors and wireless sensor networks. The presentation will position transducers including MEMS pressure sensors and microphones in the M2M space, and describe their convergence with supporting wireless technologies.