Atmel partners sensor fusion software developers

SANTA CLARA, USA: Atmel Corp., announced the company has partnered with sensor and sensor fusion software manufacturers, accelerating embedded designers' ability to create smarter, connected devices including mobile sensor hubs, connected devices, wearables and Internet of Things applications.

Atmel is also expanding its sensor hub solutions with the introduction of the SAM D20 Cortex M0+, an ultra-low power, high-performance flexible core that offers intelligent peripherals including dedicated hardware to support touch inputs, along with a variety of communication features ideally suited for these applications.

Dr. Reza Kazerounian, Sr. VP and GM, Microcontroller Business Unit, Atmel Corporation, said, "With the increasing number of sensors in consumer devices today and the desire to have these operate more of the time, low power is the key enabler for battery-powered devices."

Kazerounian further added, "The SAM D20 is the first of many devices in this series that is specifically tailored for sensor hubs. Our ultra-low power devices, the optimized features and the flexible development ecosystem bundled with the best sensors and sensor software, allow customers to create unique and differentiating products. We are excited to partner with key providers in the market to offer the best solutions for our customers."

Atmel's sensor hub solutions combine inputs from multiple sensors and sensor types including motion sensors, such as accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes, and environmental sensors that provide light level, color, temperature, pressure, humidity, and many other inputs.

They provide real-time direction, orientation and inclination data bringing visibly superior performance to a range of applications including gaming, navigation, augmented reality, and contextual awareness. Atmel's low-power leadership opens up the possibility of an "always on" sensor system, enabling a wide range of exciting new applications.

According to market analyst BCC Research, the market for sensors is expected to increase to nearly $91.5 billion by 2016.

Providing designers with flexible operating system (OS) capabilities, Atmel's sensor hub solutions support Windows, Android, and, now, real-time operating systems (RTOS).