MEMS and sensors

What can be estimated from changes in air pressure using a smartphone's MEMS pressure sensor?

  1. AAmbient brightness
  2. BThe direction of the Earth's magnetic field
  3. CChanges in altitude (such as the floor of a building)
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. Changes in altitude (such as the floor of a building)

Air pressure decreases with altitude, by about 1 hPa for every 10 m near the ground. A high-precision MEMS pressure sensor can estimate changes in height from this, which is used to determine the floor of a building in navigation and to calculate exercise.

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More MEMS and sensors questions

  1. Why are SOI wafers often used in MEMS fabrication?
  2. What is the method called that bonds silicon and glass by applying voltage while heating, used for MEMS sealing and similar purposes?
  3. Which MEMS device is used to scan laser light in automotive LiDAR and similar systems?
  4. How can the resonant frequency of a MEMS structure consisting of a spring and a mass be raised?
  5. Which MEMS sensor has been used to decide when to deploy car airbags?