Overview
The Bosch Sensortec BMI160 is a small, low power, and low noise 16-bit inertial measurement unit (IMU) designed for use in mobile applications. It combines a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope, providing highly accurate and real-time sensor data. This IMU is particularly suited for applications such as augmented reality, immersive gaming, indoor navigation, and 3D scanning due to its high precision and low latency. The BMI160 operates within a wide supply voltage range of 1.71 V to 3.6 V and has a compact 14-pin LGA package measuring 2.5 x 3.0 x 0.8 mm³.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Package | 14-VFLGA Module |
| Package Dimensions | 2.5 x 3.0 x 0.8 mm³ |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 1.71 V to 3.6 V |
| Supply Voltage (VDDIO) | 1.2 V to 3.6 V |
| Current Consumption (Gyro + Acc. @ full operation) | Typically 950 µA |
| Resolution | 16-bit |
| Noise Density (Accelerometer) | 180 μg/√Hz |
| Noise Density (Gyroscope) | 0.008 °/s/√Hz |
| FIFO Size | 1024 bytes |
| Interface | I2C, SPI |
| Peak Reflow Temperature | 260°C |
Key Features
- High Precision and Low Noise: The BMI160 offers high precision sensor data with low noise density, making it suitable for applications requiring accurate and reliable sensor data.
- Low Power Consumption: With a typical current consumption of 950 µA in full operation mode, the BMI160 is ideal for always-on applications in battery-driven devices.
- Configurable Interrupt Engine: The BMI160 features a configurable on-chip interrupt engine that supports motion-based gesture recognition and context awareness, including any-motion detection, tap sensing, orientation detection, and free-fall or shock events.
- FIFO Buffer: The integrated 1024 byte FIFO buffer supports low power applications and prevents data loss in non-real-time systems, allowing dynamic reallocation of FIFO space for accelerometer, gyroscope, and external sensors.
- Hardware Synchronization: The BMI160 provides built-in hardware synchronization of the inertial sensor data and can synchronize data from external devices such as geomagnetic sensors, making it suitable for 9-axis sensor data fusion.
- Multiple Interfaces: The device supports primary I2C or SPI interfaces and an additional high-speed SPI interface for applications like optical image stabilization and advanced gaming.
Applications
- Augmented Reality and Immersive Gaming: The BMI160 is well-suited for augmented reality and immersive gaming due to its high accuracy and low latency.
- Indoor Navigation and Mapping: It is used in indoor navigation, pedestrian dead-reckoning, step-counting, and 3D scanning applications.
- Optical Image Stabilization: The BMI160 supports optical image stabilization for camera modules, enhancing photo and video quality.
- Advanced Gesture Recognition: The device is capable of advanced gesture recognition, including tap sensing, orientation detection, and free-fall or shock events.
- Air Mouse Applications: It can be used in air mouse applications and other pointer devices.
Q & A
- What is the typical current consumption of the BMI160 in full operation mode?
The typical current consumption of the BMI160 in full operation mode, with both the accelerometer and gyroscope enabled, is 950 µA.
- What are the operating temperature ranges for the BMI160?
The BMI160 operates within a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
- What interfaces does the BMI160 support?
The BMI160 supports I2C and SPI interfaces, as well as an additional high-speed SPI interface for specific applications.
- What is the resolution of the BMI160?
The BMI160 has a 16-bit digital resolution for both the accelerometer and gyroscope.
- What is the purpose of the FIFO buffer in the BMI160?
The integrated 1024 byte FIFO buffer supports low power applications and prevents data loss in non-real-time systems, allowing dynamic reallocation of FIFO space for accelerometer, gyroscope, and external sensors.
- Can the BMI160 synchronize data from external sensors?
Yes, the BMI160 can synchronize data from external devices such as geomagnetic sensors, making it suitable for 9-axis sensor data fusion.
- What are some of the interrupt features of the BMI160?
The BMI160 features a configurable on-chip interrupt engine that supports motion-based gesture recognition and context awareness, including any-motion detection, tap sensing, orientation detection, and free-fall or shock events.
- Is the BMI160 compatible with standard operating systems?
Yes, the BMI160 is compatible with Android 4.4 (KitKat) and Windows 8.1.
- What is the peak reflow temperature for the BMI160?
The peak reflow temperature for the BMI160 is 260°C.
- What are some of the target applications for the BMI160?
The BMI160 is targeted for applications such as augmented reality, immersive gaming, indoor navigation, 3D scanning, and optical image stabilization.
