On Wednesday, 7 November, Freescale will announce the MMA8491Q Xtrinsic ultra-low-power accelerometer at the MEMS Executive Congress in Scottsdale, Arizona. This sensor enables smart meters, home appliances, asset tracking applications, gaming and remote controls through auto-on/auto-sleep energy efficient operation housed in a specialized industrial package.
Note that the MMA8491Q Xtrinsic accelerometer has been included in several smart meter reference designs for physical tamper detection. Advantages of transitioning to electronic over mechanical solutions include longer lasting, more reliable electricity meters that require less field repairs, resulting in cost savings.
Please find below a quick presentation of the Freescale MMA8491Q ultra-low-power accelerometer, with some details on its specifications, the targeted applications and its associated development tools.
Xtrinsic MMA8491Q Accelerometer for Tilt Sensing
Best In Class Specs
- Power Consumption (400 nA per Hz)
- Turn on time (<0.7 ms)
- Ease of use (XYZ 45º tilt detect output)
Product Features
- 1.95 V to 3.6 V supply voltage
- ±8 g range, 1 mg/count sensitivity
- Sample rate from <1 Hz to 800 Hz
- I²C digital output interface
- Enable pin for external power management
- 216 µg/√Hz noise
- 3 x 3 x 1.05 mm 0.65 mm pitch with visual solder joint inspection
Typical Applications
- Smart Meter Tamper Detection
- Remote Controls
- White Goods Tilt
Product Longevity for Industrial Market
- Extended industrial qualification for longer life
- Included in Freescale Longevity Program for 10+ year
MMA8491Q Xtrinsic Accelerometer Features and Benefits
Enabling New Generation of Applications
Types of Attacks justifying the use of the MMA8491 for the tamper detection
Physical
- Neutral bypass
- Partial Earth Fault
- Missing Neutral
- Reverse Current
- External Tampers
Electrical
- Over/Under voltage
- Electrostatic discharge
- Circuit probing
Software
- Spy software insertion
- Cyber attacks
Freescale Xtrinsic Inertial and Magnetic Sensor Solutions
Easy-to-use Development Tools
DEMOMMA8491 : Battery Powered Demonstration Unit (already available HEREalready available HERE)
- XYZ push pull outputs
- Small form factor, battery powered
- Easy to use and demonstrate
- 45º tilt detect function
LFSTBEB8491 : Sensor Toolbox Kit
- Includes a self-identifying MMA8491Q accelerometer development board
- Works with USB communication board
- Includes Sensor Toolbox demo and evaluation software
RDMMA8491 : Sensor Toolbox Bundle
- Includes the accelerometer development board and the USB board
