Sensors

Würth Elektronik has shrunk a humidity sensor into a 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.5mm 5pad DFN package. Called 2525020210002, it works over 0 – 100% relative humidity, typically to within ±1.8%RH (±3.5%RHmax) over 20 – 80%. Also in the device is a -40 to +125°C temperature sensor, accurate to ±0.2°C across 0 to 60°C, and ±0.6°C over its full range. ...

The soil sensor impressed judges with a design that overcomes the typical limitations of EC sensors that are impacted by the amount of water and ions (fertiliser) in soil. Its algorithms exclusively measure the amount of fertiliser without being affected by moisture to avoid contamination. Shortlist * ams Osram – AS5911 CT detect ADC * Catapult – Secure 5G * ...

Microchip has announced 10 automotive-grade multi-channel temperature monitoring ICs that use external diodes, transistors or substrate diodes (MCU or other die) as sensors. Called the MCP998x family, they communicate over a serial bus and a pair of discrete output pins. Accuracy is ±1°C max (±0.2°C typ) with the IC and probe diodes anywhere in the range +20°C to +85°C – ...

Infineon has introduced a magnetic sensor for micron-level movement measurement. Called TLI5590-A6W, it has two TMR (tunnel magneto-resistance) Wheatstone bridges inside (see diagram), spaced 500μm apart so that they deliver sine and cosine voltages when moved relative to long magnets, or circular magnets, whose poles change every 500μm in the working direction. “Qualified for industrial and consumer applications to JEDEC ...

Littelfuse has invented an AEC-Q200-qualified temperature monitoring tape for electric vehicle batteries. Branded TTape, it detects local over-heating via thermally sensitive spots spaced along its length, all connected in series. The spots are positive temperature coefficient thermistors. “Distinguishing itself from NTCs [negative temperature coefficient thermistors], the profound advantage of localised cell overheating detection ensures quicker alerts to the battery management ...

STMicroelectronics has made a custom 316Mpixel 18K image sensor for a company with a super-high resolution cinema in Las Vegas. The die measures 99 x 83mm (82.4cm2) – four fit onto a 300mm wafer (right). It can capture images at 120frame/s and transfer data at 60Gbyte/s. “Building a custom sensor of this size, resolution and speed, with low noise, high ...

Bosch Sensortec says it has launched the world’s smallest MEMS accelerometers – the BMA530 and BMA580. BMA530 tracks activities with its step counter and is  suitable for wearables, and BMA580 targets hearables with voice activity detection. Compared to Bosch’s current generation accelerometer (BMA253), the BMA530 and BMA580 have a 76 percent smaller footprint and have been reduced in height from 0.95 mm ...

TI has introduced a millimetre-wave radar sensor chip which it claims to be the industry’s first for satellite radar architectures, enabling higher levels of autonomy by improving sensor fusion and decision-making in ADAS. In satellite architectures, radar sensors output semi-processed data to a central processor for ADAS decision-making using sensor fusion algorithms, taking advantage of the 360-degree sensor coverage to ...

Hamamatsu Photonics has launched a pair of linear CMOS image sensors with long thin pixels to increase sensitivity in spectrometers, without hampering resolution. “The elongated vertical pixel enables efficient light collection, even with shorter integration times,” according to the company. “Surpassing conventional CMOS in the VUV [vacuum ultra-violet, see graph] region, both sensors exhibit remarkable sensitivity from 140 to 1,000nm.” ...

Lem has introduced a pair of mains residual current monitors for electric vehicle charging that have both digital and analogue outputs. One monitors single-phase live and neutral (CDSR 0.07-TP, photo right), while the other monitors three phases and neutral (CDSR 0.07-NP, photo below). “Because electric vehicles use a high voltage battery, they are also a high-power energy source. This needs ...