Low Cost, Low Noise ±2 g Dual Axis

Accelerometer with Digital Outputs

MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL
FEATURES
Low cost
Resolution better than 1 milli-g
Dual axis accelerometer fabricated on a monolithic
CMOS IC
On chip mixed signal processing
No moving parts; No loose particle issues
>50,000 g shock survival rating
5mm X 5mm X 2mm LCC package
2.7V to 5.25V single supply continuous operation
Compensated for Sensitivity over temperature
Ultra low initial Zero-g Offset
No adjustment needed outside

APPLICATIONS
Security – Gas Line/Elevator/Fatigue Sensing MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
Information Appliances – Computer
Peripherals/PDA’s/Mouse Smart Pens/Cell Phones
Gaming – Joystick/RF Interface/Menu Selection/Tilt
Sensing
GPS – electronic Compass tilt Correction
Consumer – LCD projectors, pedometers, blood pressure
Monitor, digital cameras

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL is a low cost, dual axis The MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL provides two digital outputs
accelerometer fabricated on a standard, submicron CMOS that are set to 50% duty cycle at zero g acceleration. The
process. It is a complete sensing system with on-chip mixed outputs are digital with duty cycles (ratio of pulse width to
signal processing. The MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL measures period) that are proportional to acceleration. The duty cycle
acceleration with a full-scale range of ±2 g and a sensitivity outputs can be directly interfaced to a microprocessor.
of 12.5%/g @5V. It can measure both dynamic acceleration The typical noise floor is 0.3 mg/ Hz allowing signals
(e.g. vibration) and static acceleration (e.g. gravity). The below 1 milli-g to be resolved at 1 Hz bandwidth. The
MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL design is based on heat MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL is packaged in a hermetically
convection and requires no solid proof mass. This sealed LCC surface mount package (5 mm x 5 mm x 2 mm
eliminates stiction and particle problems associated with height) and is operational over a 0°C to 70°C(GL/HL) or a -
competitive devices and provides shock survival greater than 40°C to +85°C(ML/NL) temperature range.
50,000 g, leading to significantly lower failure rate and lower
loss due to handling during assembly and at customer field
application.

Information furnished by MEMSIC is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, MEMSIC, Inc.
no responsibility is assumed by MEMSIC for its use, nor for any infringements of 800 Turnpike St., Suite 202, North Andover, MA 01845
patents or other rights of third parties which may result from its use. No license is
Tel: 978.738.0900 Fax: 978.738.0196
granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of MEMSIC.
www.memsic.co

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 1 of 10 2003.08.04

 MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL SPECIFICATIONS (Measurements @ 25°C, Acceleration = 0 g unless otherwise noted; VDD = 5.0V
unless otherwise specified)

MXD7202GL/H MXD7202ML/N
Parameter Conditions Min L Max Min. L Max. Units
Typ. Typ.
SENSOR INPUT Each Axis
1
Measurement Range ±2.0 ±2.0 g
Nonlinearity Best fit straight line 0.5 0.5 % of FS
2
Alignment Error ±1.0 ±1.0 degrees
Alignment Error X Sensor to Y Sensor 0.01 0.01 Degrees
3
Cross Axis Sensitivity ±0.5 ±0.5 %
SENSITIVITY Each Axis
Duty cycle per g VDD=5.0V 11.5 12.5 13.5 11.5 12.5 13.5 %/g
Duty cycle per g VDD=3.0V 11.3 12.5 13.7 11.3 12.5 13.7 %/g
Sensitivity Change over
Temperature4 Delta from 25°C 10 15 %
ZERO g BIAS LEVEL Each Axis
0 g Duty cycle VDD=5.0V 47 50 53 47 50 53 %
0 g Duty cycle VDD=5.0V -0.24 0.00 0.24 -0.24 0.00 0.24 g
0 g Duty cycle VDD=3.0V 46 50 54 46 50 54 %
0 g Duty cycle VDD=3.0V -0.32 0.00 0.32 -0.32 0.00 0.32 g
4
0 g Offset vs. Temperature Delta from 25°C 1.5 1.5 mg/°C
NOISE PERFORMANCE
Noise Density, rms @25°C 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.8
mg/ Hz
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
3dB Bandwidth 19 19 Hz
DUTY CYCLE OUTPUT STAGE
Output High Voltage Vs-0.2V Vs-0.2V V
Output Low Voltage 0.2 0.2 V
Current Source or sink @ 250 250 uA
3.0V- 5.0V Supply
T25 Drift vs. Temperature -900 -750 -600 -900 -750 -600 ppm/°C
Rise/Fall Time 200 200 ns
POWER SUPPLY
Operating Voltage Range 2.7 5.25 2.7 5.25 V
Quiescent Supply Current @5.0V 3.0 3.8 3.0 3.8 mA
Quiescent Supply Current @3.0V 3.4 4.3 3.4 4.3 mA
Turn-On Time Level (0g) 100 100 mS
TEMPERATURE RANGE
Operating Range 0 +70 -40 +85 °C
3
NOTES Cross axis sensitivity is the algebraic sum of the alignment and the inherent
1 sensitivity errors.
Guaranteed by measurement of initial offset and sensitivity.
4
2 Defined as the output change from ambient to maximum temperature or ambient to
Alignment error is specified as the angle between the true and indicated axis of
minimum temperature.
sensitivity. 5
Duty cycle period

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 2 of 10 2003.08.04

ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS*
Supply Voltage (VDD) ………………...-0.5 to +7.0V
Storage Temperature ……….…………-65°C to +150°C
Acceleration ……………………………………..50,000 g
*Stresses above those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings may cause permanent
damage to the device. This is a stress rating only; the functional operation of the
device at these or any other conditions above those indicated in the operational
sections of this specification is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating
conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

Pin Description: LCC-8 Package

Pin Name Description
1 NC Do Not Connect
2 TP Connected to ground THEORY OF OPERATION
3 COM Common The MEMSIC device is a complete dual-axis acceleration
4 Yout Y Channel Duty Cycle Output measurement system fabricated on a monolithic CMOS IC
5 Xout X Channel Duty Cycle Output process. The device operation is based on heat transfer by
6 NC Do Not Connect natural convection and operates like other accelerometers
having a proof mass. The stationary element, or ‘proof
7 NC Do Not Connect
mass’, in the MEMSIC sensor is a gas.
8 VDD 2.7V to 5.25V
A single heat source, centered in the silicon chip is
Ordering Guide suspended across a cavity. Equally spaced
PWM Temperature Device aluminum/polysilicon thermopiles (groups of
Model Frequency thermocouples) are located equidistantly on all four sides of
Range Weight
MXD7202GL 100Hz <1.0 gram the heat source (dual axis). Under zero acceleration, a
0 to 70°C
temperature gradient is symmetrical about the heat source,
MXD7202HL 400Hz 0 to 70°C <1.0 gram so that the temperature is the same at all four thermopiles,
MXD7202ML 100Hz -40 to +85°C <1.0 gram causing them to output the same voltage.
MXD7202NL 400Hz -40 to +85°C <1.0 gram
Acceleration in any direction will disturb the temperature
All parts are shipped in tape and reel packaging. profile, due to free convection heat transfer, causing it to be
Caution: ESD (electrostatic discharge) sensitive device. asymmetrical. The temperature, and hence voltage output
of the four thermopiles will then be different. The
differential voltage at the thermopile outputs is directly
proportional to the acceleration. There are two identical
acceleration signal paths on the accelerometer, one to
measure acceleration in the x-axis and one to measure
acceleration in the y-axis. Please visit the MEMSIC
website at www.memsic.com for a picture/graphic
description of the free convection heat transfer principle.

Note: The MEMSIC logo’s arrow indicates the -X sensing

direction of the device. The +Y sensing direction is rotated 90°
away from the +X direction following the right-hand rule. Small
circle indicates pin one(1).

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 3 of 10 2003.08.04

 be achieved with the MEMSIC device (reference
application note AN-00MX-007).

MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL PIN DESCRIPTIONS

VDD – This is the supply input for the circuits and the
sensor heater in the accelerometer. The DC voltage should
be between 2.7 and 5.25 volts. Refer to the section on PCB

MEMSIC
layout and fabrication suggestions for guidance on external
parts and connections recommended.

COM– This is the ground pin for the accelerometer.

TP– This pin should be connected to ground. Figure 2: Accelerometer Position Relative to Gravity

Xout – This pin is the digital output of the X-axis

X-Axis Y-Axis
acceleration sensor. It is factory programmable to 100Hz or
400Hz. The user should ensure the load impedance is X-Axis
sufficiently high as to not source/sink >250µA typical. Orientation Change Change
While the sensitivity of this axis has been programmed at To Earth’s X Output per deg. Y Output per deg.
the factory to be the same as the sensitivity for the y-axis, Surface (g) of tilt (g) of tilt
the accelerometer can be programmed for non-equal (deg.) (mg) (mg)
90 -1.000 0.15 0.000 17.45
sensitivities on the x- and y-axes. Contact the factory for
85 -0.996 1.37 0.087 17.37
additional information. 80 -0.985 2.88 0.174 17.16
70 -0.940 5.86 0.342 16.35
Yout – This pin is the digital output of the Y-axis 60 -0.866 8.59 0.500 15.04
acceleration sensor. It is factory programmable to 100Hz or 45 -0.707 12.23 0.707 12.23
400Hz. The user should ensure the load impedance is 30 -0.500 15.04 0.866 8.59
sufficiently high as to not source/sink >250µA typical. 20 -0.342 16.35 0.940 5.86
While the sensitivity of this axis has been programmed at 10 -0.174 17.16 0.985 2.88
the factory to be the same as the sensitivity for the x-axis, 5 -0.087 17.37 0.996 1.37
the accelerometer can be programmed for non-equal 0 0.000 17.45 1.000 0.15
Table 1: Changes in Tilt for X- and Y-Axes
sensitivities on the x- and y-axes. Contact the factory for
additional information.
Resolution: The accelerometer resolution is limited by
noise. The output noise will vary with the measurement
DISCUSSION OF TILT APPLICATIONS AND bandwidth. With the reduction of the bandwidth, by
RESOLUTION applying an external low pass filter, the output noise drops.
Reduction of bandwidth will improve the signal to noise
Tilt Applications: One of the most popular applications of
ratio and the resolution. The output noise scales directly
the MEMSIC accelerometer product line is in
with the square root of the measurement bandwidth. The
tilt/inclination measurement. An accelerometer uses the
maximum amplitude of the noise, its peak- to- peak value,
force of gravity as an input to determine the inclination
approximately defines the worst case resolution of the
angle of an object.
measurement. With a simple RC low pass filter, the rms
noise is calculated as follows:
A MEMSIC accelerometer is most sensitive to changes in
position, or tilt, when the accelerometer’s sensitive axis is Noise (mg rms) = Noise(mg/ Hz ) * ( Bandwidth( Hz) *1.6)
perpendicular to the force of gravity, or parallel to the
Earth’s surface. Similarly, when the accelerometer’s axis is The peak-to-peak noise is approximately equal to 6.6 times
parallel to the force of gravity (perpendicular to the Earth’s the rms value (for an average uncertainty of 0.1%).
surface), it is least sensitive to changes in tilt.

Table 1 and Figure 2 help illustrate the output changes in

the X- and Y-axes as the unit is tilted from +90° to 0°.
Notice that when one axis has a small change in output per
degree of tilt (in mg), the second axis has a large change in
output per degree of tilt. The complementary nature of
these two signals permits low cost accurate tilt sensing to

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 4 of 10 2003.08.04

 CHOOSING T2 AND COUNTER FREQUENCY
DESIGN TRADE-OFFS
DIGITAL INTERFACE The noise level is one determinant of accelerometer
The MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL is easily interfaced with low resolution. The second relates to the measurement
cost microcontrollers. For the digital output accelerometer, resolution of the counter when decoding the duty cycle
one digital input port is required to read one accelerometer output. The actual resolution of the acceleration signal is
output. For the analog output accelerometer, many low cost limited by the time resolution of the counting devices used
microcontrollers are available today that feature integrated to decode the duty cycle. The faster the counter clock, the
A/D (analog to digital converters) with resolutions ranging higher the resolution of the duty cycle and the shorter the
from 8 to 12 bits. T2 period can be for a given resolution. Table 2 shows
In many applications the microcontroller provides an some of the trade-offs. It is important to note that this is the
effective approach for the temperature compensation of the resolution due to the microprocessors’ counter. It is
sensitivity and the zero g offset. Specific code set, reference probable that the accelerometer’s noise floor may set the
designs, and applications notes are available from the lower limit on the resolution.
factory. The following parameters must be considered in a
digital interface:
Counter-
Resolution: smallest detectable change in input acceleration MEMSIC Clock Counts Reso-
Bandwidth: detectable accelerations in a given period of Sample Rate Per T2 Counts lution
time T2 (ms) Rate (MHz) Cycle per g (mg)
Acquisition Time: the duration of the measurement of the 2.5 400 2.0 5000 625 1.6
acceleration signal 2.5 400 1.0 2500 313 3.2
2.5 400 0.5 1250 156 6.4
10.0 100 2.0 20000 2500 0.4
10.0 100 1.0 10000 1250 0.8
DUTY CYCLE DEFINITION
10.0 100 0.5 5000 625 1.6
The MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL has two PWM duty cycle
outputs (x,y). The acceleration is proportional to the ratio Table 2: Trade-Offs Between Microcontroller Counter Rate and
T1/T2. The zero g output is set to 50% duty cycle and the T2 Period.
sensitivity scale factor is set to 12.5% duty cycle change
per g. These nominal values are affected by the initial
tolerance of the device including zero g offset error and CONVERTING THE DIGITAL OUTPUT TO AN
sensitivity error. This device is offered from the factory ANALOG OUTPUT
programmed to either a 10ms period (100 Hz) or a 2.5ms The PWM output can be easily converted into an analog
period (400Hz). output by integration. A simple RC filter can do the
conversion. Note that that the impedance of the circuit
T1 Length of the “on” portion of the cycle. following the integrator must be much higher than the
T2 (Period) Length of the total cycle. impedance of the RC filter. Reference figure 4 for an
Duty Cycle Ratio of the “0n” time (T1) of the cycle to example.
the total cycle (T2). Defined as T1/T2.
Pulse width Time period of the “on” pulse. Defined as 10K
T1. DOUT AOUT

MEMSIC 1uF
T2
Accel.

Figure 4: Converting the digital output to an analog

T1
voltage

A (g)= (T1/T2 - 0.5)/0.125

0g = 50% Duty Cycle
T2= 2.5ms or 10ms (factory programmable)
Figure 3: Typical output Duty C ycle

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 5 of 10 2003.08.04

 PCB LAYOUT AND FABRICATION SUGGESTIONS
POWER SUPPLY NOISE REJECTION 1. Liberal use of ceramic bypass capacitors is
One capacitor is recommended for best rejection of power recommended.
supply noise (reference Figure 5 below). The capacitor 2. Robust low inductance ground wiring should be used.
should be located as close as possible to the device supply 3. Care should be taken to ensure there is “thermal
pin (VDD). The capacitor lead length should be as short as symmetry” on the PCB immediately surrounding the
possible, and surface mount capacitor is preferred. For MEMSIC device and that there is no significant heat
typical applications, the capacitor can be ceramic 0.1 µF. source nearby.
4. A metal ground plane should be added directly beneath
the MEMSIC device. The size of the plane should be
similar to the MEMSIC device’s footprint and be as
thick as possible.
5. Vias can be added symmetrically around the ground
plane. Vias increase thermal isolation of the device
from the rest of the PCB.

Figure 5: Power Supply Noise Rejection

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 6 of 10 2003.08.04

 MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS ( @ 25°C, unless otherwise specified)

VDD = 3V VDD = 5V
45% 70%
40%
60%
PERCENT OF PARTS

35%

PERCENT OF PARTS
50%
30%
25% 40%
20% 30%
15%
20%
10%
10%
5%
0% 0%
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 47 48 49 50 51 52 53
% %
X-axis Zero g Bias Distribution at Xout, VDD=3V X-axis Zero g Bias Distribution at Xout, VDD=5V
50% 60%
45%
50%
40%
PERCENT OF PARTS

PERCENT OF PARTS
35%
40%
30%
25% 30%
20%
20%
15%
10%
10%
5%
0% 0%
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

% %
Y-axis Zero g Bias Distribution at Xout, VDD=3V Y-axis Zero g Bias Distribution at Xout, VDD=5V

25% 35%

30%
20%
PERCENT OF PARTS

25%
PERCENT OF PARTS

15% 20%

15%
10%
10%
5%
5%

0% 0%
11.3 11.9 12.5 13.1 13.7 11.5 12.0 12.5 13.0 13.5

%/g %/g
X-axis Sensitivity Distribution at Xout, VDD=3V X-axis Sensitivity Distribution at Xout, VDD=5V

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 7 of 10 2003.08.04

 30% 45%
40%
25%
35%
PERCENT OF PARTS

PERCENT OF PARTS
20% 30%
25%
15%
20%
10% 15%
10%
5%
5%
0% 0%
11.3 11.9 12.5 13.1 13.7 11.5 12.0 12.5 13.0 13.5

%/g %/g
Y-axis Sensitivity Distribution at Yout, VDD=3V Y-axis Sensitivity Distribution at Yout, VDD=5V

1.10
1.08
1.06
1.04
1.02
1.00
0.98
0.96
0.94
0.92
0.90
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

T(°C)
Normalized (with 25°C) X-axis Sensitivity vs. Temperature, VDD=5V
1.10
1.08
1.06
1.04
1.02
1.00
0.98
0.96
0.94
0.92
0.90
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
T(°C)
Normalized (with 25°C) Y-axis Sensitivity vs. Temperature, VDD=5V

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 8 of 10 2003.08.04

Offset(%)
52.5

52.0

51.5

51.0

50.5

50.0

49.5

49.0
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

T(°C)
X-axis Zero g Offset vs. Temperature, VDD=5V
Offset(%)
52.5

52.0

51.5

51.0

50.5

50.0

49.5

49.0
-50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

T(°C)
Y-axis Zero g Offset vs. Temperature, VDD=5V

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 9 of 10 2003.08.04

LCC-8 PACKAGE DRAWING

Fig 6: Hermetically Sealed Package Outline

MEMSIC MXD7202GL/HL/ML/NL Page 10 of 10 2003.08.04