- PositionSenseTM is a 2-chip 9-axis sensor solution for absolute orientation detection and fast sensor calibration at ultra-low power consumption
- Integrates TDK’s 6-axis IMU and TDK’s 3-axis TMR-based magnetometer, on-chip sensor fusion software, and off-chip pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) software
- Enables next-gen positioning accuracy for wearables, AR glasses, smartphones, and similar devices
January 7, 2025
TDK Corporation (TSE:6762) announces the InvenSense PositionSenseTM – a new 2-chip 9-axis sensor solution enabling next-gen positioning accuracy for navigation, wearable, mobile, and AR/VR devices. As the newest TDK sensor solution for precise orientation and relative position detection, PositionSense integrates TDK’s lowest-power 6-axis IMU and TMR-based 3-axis magnetometer with on-chip sensor fusion software and calibration software to enable fast and accurate orientation tracking. PositionSense integrates seamlessly with TDK’s industry-leading PDR software for accuracy and power consumption, enabling applications such as geofencing and GNSS duty cycling. Samples are available via direct inquiry with InvenSense sales.
“When your device is built using PositionSense, its users are always on track and never lost,” said Joseph Bousaba, CEO of InvenSense, a TDK group company. “When people step out of a subway and ask their watch or phone for directions, they expect to be sent in the proper direction instantly and without delay; the PositionSense sensor solution ensures that happens.”
The speed and precision of PositionSense’s absolute orientation detection comes from the integration of its components:
- TDK 6-axis SmartMotion® IMU, the lowest-power IMU with high-performance MEMS technology and vibration-resistant gyroscope
- TDK 3-axis magnetometer, the lowest-power magnetometer with high-sensitivity and accuracy, along with magnetic field shock resistance
- TDK on-chip sensor fusion software, enabling fast and accurate 9-axis sensor calibration
- TDK off-chip PDR software, with support for a variety of devices, platforms, and human motions
“The new TDK 9-axis solution provides a best-in-class, fully synchronized IMU and compass solution capable of high accuracy, ultra-low power, and strong magnetic sock resilience, making it ideal for navigation applications,” said Jordi Munoz, CEO of mRobotics.
TDK will provide a demonstration of PositionSense during CES 2025 at booth #15815 in Las Vegas, January 7-10. Samples of the PositionSense solution may be requested through InvenSense sales at https://invensense.tdk.com/positionsense or by email to inv.sales.us@tdk.com.
Glossary
- 6-axis: 3-axis gyroscope + 3-axis accelerometer
- IMU: Inertial measurement unit
- MEMS: Micro-electro-mechanical systems
- TMR: Tunnel-magneto resistance
- PDR: Pedestrian Dead Reckoning
Main applications*
TDK PositionSense addresses a wide range of consumer product applications, including but not limited to:
- Smartphones
- Wearables
- Hearables/TWS Earbuds
- AR/VR
- Drones
- Robotics
Features and benefits by component
- High sensitivity
- High accuracy
- Lowest-power magnetometer
- Magnetic field shock-resistance
- Low noise
- Wide range
IMU Technology
- Lowest power IMU technology
- High-performance MEMS technology
- Industry-first vibration-resistant gyro with BalancedGyro technology
- Low noise accelerometer
- On-chip sensor fusion and precise time synchronization, for immediate processing of sensor data at exact moment of motion
- Fast and accurate gyro and mag cross-calibration
- Automatic magnetic shock recovery
- PDR application-level software for a variety of operating systems and platforms
About TDK Corporation
TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution and deliberately “Attracting Tomorrow.” It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK’s comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2024, TDK posted total sales of USD 14.6 billion and employed about 101,000 people worldwide.
About InvenSense
InvenSense, a TDK group company, is a world-leading provider of Sensing Solutions. InvenSense’s vision of Sensing Everything® targets the consumer electronics and industrial areas with integrated Motion, Sound, Pressure, and Ultrasonic solutions. InvenSense’s solutions combine MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses, microphones, barometric pressure sensors, and ultrasonic time-of-flight sensors with proprietary algorithms and firmware that intelligently process, synthesize, and calibrate the output of sensors, maximizing performance and accuracy. InvenSense’s motion tracking, ultrasonic, audio, fingerprint, location platforms and services can be found in Mobile, Wearables, Smart Home, Industrial, Automotive, IoT, Robotics, and many more types of products. InvenSense became part of the MEMS Sensors Business Group within the Sensor Systems Business Company of TDK Corporation in 2017. In April of 2022, Chirp Microsystems formally merged with InvenSense. InvenSense is headquartered in San Jose, California and has offices worldwide.
