Alps Electric Developed 3-Axis Electronic Compass: The World's Smallest Compass with Angle Compensation Functions

Alps Electric (Pink Sheet:APELY) has developed a
three-axis electronic compass for mobile phones and other compact
mobile devices.
To contribute to equipping compact mobile devices with navigation
functions, Alps Electric became the world's first company to load a
compass with three magnetic sensors, leading to the development of the
world's smallest (3.5mm width x 3.5mm depth x 1.0mm height) three-axis
electronic compass with angle compensation functions. Alps Electric
leveraged its unique high-precision, high-density mounting technology
in order to enable the loading of the new compasses into mobile phones
and other compact devices. While minute, this electronic compass also
makes use of an advanced magnetic sensor for high-precision sensing
functions.
The three magnetic sensors on the compass incorporate Alps'
proprietary algorithms for maximum performance, as well as Alps'
proprietary Giant Magneto Resistive (GMR) materials that track
three-dimensional directions. Through these, the compass offers angle
compensation functions, magnetic field correction functions and
automatic terrestrial magnetism compensation functions.
Users of these navigation systems do not usually hold their
devices level, but hold them naturally in their hands with the devices
at an angle. Accordingly, angle compensation functions are used to
accurately detect the direction in which the user is headed.
In terms of magnetic field correction, when the compass is loaded
inside a device with multiple components, effects on its magnetic
field due to magnetic noise from other parts is avoided. This assures
its high performance as a part, and contributes to better device
engineering.

Principal Applications

Mobile phones, PDAs, car navigation systems and other compact
mobile devices

Development Plan

Development: Business Development Headquarters, Process
Engineering Center (Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan)

Specifications
-0-
*T

Product name Three-axis Electronic Compass
------------------------------ --------------------------------------
Dimensions (W x D x H) 3.5mm x 3.5mm x 1.0mm
------------------------------ --------------------------------------
Automatic angle compensation 0 degrees to 99 degrees
------------------------------ --------------------------------------
Magnetic field correction +/-5 Gauss
------------------------------ --------------------------------------
Interface I2C Inter Integrated Circuit
------------------------------ --------------------------------------
*T