VTT: Smaller, more accurate electronic compass that uses less power

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VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a new way of manufacturing a smaller, more accurate electronic compass, which consumes less power and is suitable for mass production. Applications include mobile phones, wearable computers and global positioning system navigation equipment.

At the heart of the development is a new method for processing silicon wafers, which enables the sensors used in the electronic compass to be fabricated on one silicon chip instead of several.

This reduces the size and the manufacturing costs, and means there is less need to calibrate the device, making it more reliable than existing electronic compasses. The reduced power consumption means batteries in wrist computers or mobile phones incorporating the compass will last considerably longer than with the current generation of compasses.

VTT expects commercial manufacturing of the component to begin in Finland in a few years time. In the meantime research will continue to streamline the manufacturing process and making the sensors more compact.