The addition of motion processing has added a new interactive dimension to console and handheld gaming. However, to bring about a truly immersive 1:1 gaming experience, motion processing, a combination of a multi-axis gyroscope with other sensors, is required. MEMS gyro sensors used in game controller applications provide critical rotational information free of interference from magnetic fields or linear acceleration. For improved motion processing functionality in its new Wii Motion Plus™ accessory, Nintendo incorporated InvenSense MotionProcessing platform to enable responsive, high precision 3D tracking of gaming gestures.
Key requirements for gyros in gaming applications, such as the Wii Motion Plus™, are wide full scale range, high cross-axis isolation, superior vibration rejection, high mechanical shock tolerance and small size. The InvenSense IDG-650™ gyroscope meets these requirements with its ±2,000°/sec (dps) full scale range, <±1% cross-axis sensitivity,10,000g shock rating and 4x5x1.2mm package size. The ISZ-650™ single-axis (Z) gyro complements the IDG-650 dual-axis (X/Y) gyro, for a solution where all sensors mount in-plane with other system electronics.
Selection and Integration of MEMS-based Motion Processing in Consumer Apps (452K PDF)
The IDG-650 dual-axis and ISZ-650 Z-axis gyroscopes are ideal for game controller applications, offering the industry’s smallest, most robust dual-axis gyroscope with integrated signal conditioning.
True 1:1 motion processing that more precisely tracks a gamer’s controller movements is now possible for the Wii with the addition of the IDG-600 dual-axis MEMS rate gyroscope, the breakthrough in motion processing technology, created by InvenSense.
There are many forms of gyroscopes but inside of the Wii MotionPlus, there are chips that are used to measure the rate of rotation along all 3-axes of X (pitch), Y (roll), and Z (yaw). Inside the chip’s packages are Micro-Electromechanical systems (MEMS) that senses the user’s rotational movements with the Wii MotionPlus equipped remote.
In combination with the Wii sensor bar and the three-axis accelerometer that is used in the current Wii Remote, Nintendo is now introducing MEMS rate gyroscope capability to the Wii system with the addition of the Wii Motion Plus accessory. In the past, the only recognized movements were up/down, left/right, back/forth and they were performed by simply flicking the controller, and there was no distinguishing between smaller and larger motions. With the new MotionPlus accessory, which attaches to the bottom of the Wii remote, even the slightest degree of movements are reflected accurately and with precision in the Wii’s game play.
To learn more, read the InvenSense white paper regarding selection and integration of MEMS based motion processing in consumer applications, recently published by EE Times.
When first introduced, the Wii revolutionized the gaming industry with their new motion processing technology. Inside the remote however, the motion technology relied on a simple 3-axis accelerometer. As a result, the motion-controlled elements of the games did not require more than simple actions. Performing top spins, slices, or forward thrusts were out of the question; all that was recognized were just your basic movements. The problem was that the accelerometer was only capable of picking up minimal game play actions that respond to loosely-defined movements on a singular spatial plane. The accelerometer has difficulty differentiating between small and large gestures and the remote was not capable of tracking precisely where it was in 3D space. Now, with the addition of 3-axes gyroscope’s, true 1:1 motion processing capabilities are delivered with highly user-responsive game play, to the already awesome Wii entertainment system. And when you check out the game trailers, you will see that the software developers are taking full advantage of the Wii’s new motion processing capabilities.
What gyroscopes are able to provide is direct measurement of the rate and degree of rotation. These gyro sensors are very responsive, but the full capabilities of them are seen when they are used with accelerometers, and are not meant to replace them. The gyro responds to the slightest degrees of rotation and rejects linear movements and hand jitters, while accelerometers are meant to recognize those linear motions. When 3-axes of gyroscopes are combined with 3-axes of accelerometers, the pair of sensors will recognize how far, fast, and in which direction the controller has moved in 3D space, creating the ability for an incredibly accurate representation of your real life movements, which are then replicated for true 1:1 game play. This means - you guessed it - no more lying around on the couch and simply flicking your wrist to play Wii games. Sorry!
