Press Release

Hitachi Products: Accelerometer Sensors Development of the World's Smallest Accelerometer Sensor Tokyo, Japan, August 23, 2006—Hitachi Metals, Ltd. announced today that it has developed the world’s smallest (2.9 × 2.9 × 0.92 mm) 3-axis accelerometer that generates digital signals. 1. Background and Overview 3-axis accelerometers are used for accidental fall detection in devices that are fitted with mobile hard disk drives, such as digital video cameras and notebook computers. They are also used to detect acceleration in music players, mobile phones, car navigation and traffic control systems, detection of malfunctions due to impact in security systems of ATMs and other machines, as well as in a broad range of other applications. Demand for 3-axis accelerometers is rising sharply. Through development of unique MEMS technologies, precision assembly and other technologies, Hitachi Metals has consistently led the industry in high-performance, compact 3-axis accelerometers. Hitachi Metals has already made a number of advances in performance of the sensor itself, including automatic compensation of variations in sensor performance due to changes in temperature. This eliminates work to compensate for features after customers mount accelerometers on substrates, a feature that has gained quick recognition from customers for potential contributions to enhanced efficiency. Based upon widespread recognition of the superior features, functions and the accompanying convenience of its accelerometers, use of Hitachi Metals products is growing. 2. Outline of Development Customer requirements are increasing for ultra-compact (under 3 × 3 mm) sensors that can output digital signals. In response, we have made full use of our proprietary device design, circuit design and mounting technologies, and pioneered the development of a new digital 3-axis accelerometer (H30CD type) that is even smaller than our existing product (H34CD type, 3.4 × 3.7 × 0.92 mm) announced on April 3, 2006. Our new product puts the same advanced features and high-precision fall-detection functions into a more compact package. This development will make loading onto compact devices simpler, and we expect applications in a wider range of industries. World's Smallest Digital Accelerometer Sensor ** Scale=1 mm 3. Features 1) The world’s smallest and thinnest size with digital output (see specifications below) 2) Low power consumption (see specifications below) 3) The sensor itself is equipped with autonomous free-fall detection functions to compensate for erroneous detection signals 4) Equipped with temperature sensor for automatic compensation of variations in performance 5) Equipped with functions to detect preconfigured acceleration settings, and to generate signals 4. Specifications Item Newly developed product (H30CD type) Rated acceleration Options from ±2g /±4g (1g = 9.8 m/s2) Potential preconfigured acceleration settings Full-scale 2g: 1.25 /1.5 / 1.75g Full-scale 4g: 2.5 / 3.0 / 3.5g Power-source voltage Analog portion: 2.2 to 3.6 V Digital interface portion: 1.7 to 3.6 V Current drain 0.35mA at power source voltage 3V; less than 1µA in standby mode Bit output 12 bit Interface I2C Operating temperature range -35°C to +85°C Shock durability More than 5,000 g Package size 2.9 × 2.9 × 0.92 mm 5. Applications 1) Mobile phones, AV devices, laptop computers and other mobile devices 2) ITS related (car navigation and traffic control systems) 3) ATM and other security systems 4) Medical and health devices, motion measurement 5) Game devices 6. Scheduled Beginning of Sample Shipments From October 2006 7. Hitachi Metals Sales Plan for 3-Axis Accelerometer Lineup Fiscal 2006 ~2 billion Fiscal 2007 ~4 billion Fiscal 2008 ~7 billion Customer Inquiries     America John Weidner Hitachi Metals America, Ltd. 2101 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 116 Arlington Heights, IL 60005-4142 TEL +1-847-364-7200 x8207 Fax: +1-847-364-7279 Asia Yoshito Sano Sales Department Information System Components Company Hitachi Metals, Ltd. TEL: +81-3-5765-4206 Press Inquiries     Toshinori Hata Corporate Communications Hitachi Metals, Ltd. TEL: +81-3-5765-4082 Additional Information Notes: 3-axis accelerometer Sensors that can detect acceleration in three dimensions. They use silicon semiconductors and the piezoresistance effect to detect movement and acceleration on three axes. MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) Acronym for the technology used for producing electronics or machinery in three dimensions on silicon wafers at the micrometer level. The acronym is also used for components manufactured using this technology. I2C Abbreviation for Inter Integrated Circuit, a format for high-speed communications primarily between devices mounted at close distance upon the same substrate.