STMicroelectronics and PNI Sensors Are Selected for Nintendo's Wii U
ST's and PNI's Sensor Technologies Enable Intuitive Motion Sensing for Gaming Applications
GENEVA and SANTA ROSA, CA, Nov 27, 2012 (Menafn - MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --STMicroelectronics STM, the world's leading MEMSmanufacturer, and PNI Sensor Corporation, the U.S.- basedgeomagnetic-sensor manufacturer, today announced that Nintendo Co.,Ltd. has adopted an advanced sensor solution for Nintendo's newlylaunched Wii U(TM) that includes sensors from ST and PNI. PNI's3-axis geomagnetic sensor, based on proprietary magneto-inductivetechnology and driven by ST's ASIC, together with an ST 3-axisaccelerometer, enables intuitive motion sensing in gamingapplications.
The Wii U supports the need of users to enjoy intuitive motioncontrol that is stable under various environments. The geomagneticsensor delivers new playability in combination with other sensors.Further, the accelerometer accommodates a wide variety of players'motions in gaming.
"The collaboration of advanced sensing technology and extensiveknow-how in gaming motion-control from ST, who is leading the MEMSmarket, and impressive geomagnetic-sensing technology from PNI, hasstrongly supported Nintendo's challenge to deliver an entirely newkind of gaming and entertainment experience for consumers around theworld," said Genyo Takeda, Senior Managing Director, Nintendo Co.,Ltd.
"Since its launch, the Wii(TM) has revolutionized the gaming worldand ST has kept its close relationship with Nintendo by reliablydelivering advanced MEMS technology while expanding its expertise insensors for gaming, its manufacturing capability and its advancedMEMS technologies," said Benedetto Vigna, Executive Vice Presidentand General Manager of the Analog, MEMS & Sensors Group ofSTMicroelectronics. "We're pleased that PNI and ST can play animportant role in the development of Nintendo's latest game console,the Wii U, and will continue to explore avenues that allow ST todemonstrate the value of MEMS."
"We are pleased to have Nintendo, a true pioneer in interactiveentertainment, select our geomagnetic sensor for use in the Wii U.And working closely with ST has made this possible," said Becky Oh,PNI Sensor President and CEO. "Our goals are to offer our sensors tocustomers who need to sense motion despite some magneticinterference, to complement their algorithms, and to react in realtime."
Additional Technical Details Designed and manufactured in NorthernCalifornia, the PNI RM3000 geomagnetic sensor enables motion sensingwhile also accounting for reasonable magnetic anomalies. It detectsmagnetic fields in the environment with improved accuracy, even wheremagnetic interference from audio speakers, metal objects, buildinggirders or a cell phone can send other magnetic sensors off target.ST's ASIC amplifies signals, from a tiny variation of magnetic fielddetected by magnetic sensor coils, and with low noise, converts themto digital data, and interfaces with an application processor throughan SPI bus.
In addition to the geomagnetic sensor, the Wii U includes ST's 3-axisaccelerometer. With its low current consumption (2uA) and small3x3x1mm package, this accelerometer is ideally suited for use inconsumer and mobile devices with power and/or space restrictions. Itsoutput accurate over a selectable acceleration range can be used todetect accelerating or slowing a racecar or swinging a sword(/-2g//-4g//-8g//-16g) and its performance remains stable overperiods of time or during temperature changes.
*Wii U and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks andtrade names are the property of their respective holders.
About PNI Sensor PNI Sensor Corporation is the leader in theexacting science of producing heading and orientation technology andmodules for the consumer, military, scientific and oceanographycommunities. Building on decades of patented sensor development, PNIoffers magneto-inductive sensor systems and 9-axis sensor fusiontechnology. Its products are used in consumer electronics, robotics,surveying, navigation and automotive applications across the globe.To learn more, please visit www.pnicorp.com.
About STMicroelectronics ST is a global leader in the semiconductormarket serving customers across the spectrum of sense and powertechnologies and multimedia convergence applications. From energymanagement and savings to trust and data security, from healthcareand wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office,at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make apositive and innovative contribution to people's life. By gettingmore from technology to get more from life, ST stands forlife.augmented. In 2011, the Company's net revenues were 9.73billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
ST and PNI in Nintendo Wii U:http://hugin.info/152740/R/1660704/537855.pdf ST and PNI inNintendo Wii U_IMAGE: http://hugin.info/152740/R/1660704/537857.jpg
Press Contacts:
PNI Sensor Corporation
Tom Byron
Marketing Director
office 1 707 566 2944
mobile 1 415 300 7554
tbyron@pnicorp.com
STMicroelectronics
Michael Markowitz
Director Technical Media Relations
1 781 591 0354
michael.markowitz@st.com
SOURCE: STMicroelectronics
mailto:tbyron@pnicorp.com
mailto:michael.markowitz@st.com
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