Sensors

Melexis has introduced a Hall-effect current-sensing IC aimed at cost-sensitive automotive applications: belt-driven starter generators and traction inverters for low-speed electric vehicles, e-scooters, electric forklift trucks and pallet trucks. Called MLX91211, it is used with a ferromagnetic core around a conductor to generate an analogue output proportional to the current flowing in the cable or bus bar. The output signal has a ...

Omron has a series of welding proximity sensors that can identify iron and aluminium at the same distance. “Previous full metal proximity sensors have struggled to differentiate efficiently between these metals because the sensing distance for aluminium is shorter than that for iron. This makes the design, start-up, and maintenance of production lines complicated,” according to RS Components, which is stocking ...

Panasonic has launched EKM versions of Pyroelectric Passive Infrared Motion Sensors (PaPIRs) with two distinct functional purposes. While being “equal twins” in terms of their physical nature, with only a 14mm small lens diameter and same pinning structure, each type has a unique and specific detection performance. The Wide Area Detection type has a maximum detection area of 12.9m @ ...

Sensirion has introduced a sensor for measuring high concentrations of CO2, based on a thermal conductivity technique. Called STC31, it is aimed at ‘controlled atmosphere’ transportation, where CO2, humidity and temperature are monitored and set to preserve the freshness of fruits and vegetables. “Exact conditions depend a lot on the exact commodity, with typically a low temperature, high humidity and CO2 concentration ...

University of Cambridge spin-out Flusso has launched what it claims to be “the world’s smallest flow sensor” – with a 3.5 x 3.5mm footprint. Called FLS110, it is a CMOS device designed for gas flow measurements, with gas entering and leaving through two  tubular stubs. Flow range is up to 200cm3/min directly through the sensor, or from 0.001 to >500litre/min used ...

C&K’s MPSR series of magnetic sensors are designed for non-contact position and proximity detection in tough dirty environments. The 61mm long housing is aluminium with a stainless steel cable, and operating life is 4 million actuations in spite of dirt, dust, oil, grease and water, according to the company. The switches are electro-mechanical, with Form C (change-over) switching providing two outputs that ...

IDS has extended its 3D camera series with compact and robust devices designed specifically for robotics and automated series production. Ensenso N40 and N45 are IP65/67 protected for use in harsher environments, with fibre-reinforced plastic cases making them the lightest stereo vision cameras equipped with Gigabit Ethernet in the IDS product range. Rounded corners minimise injury risk. Sensing comes through ...

ON Semiconductor has introduced a 2.3Mpixel 120frame/s global shutter image sensor for machine vision and mixed-reality displays. Called AR0234CS, te CMOS sensor captures 1080p video and single frames, and “produces crisp and clear images by minimising frame-to-frame distortion in high-speed scenes and reducing the motion artifacts”, according to the company, which also sees the device being used in AR headsets, VR headsets, autonomous mobile ...

Maxim is offering what is claims is a lower-cost alternative to time-of-flight cameras for free-air gesture control in vehicles: a 6 x 10 array of infra-red photodiodes that is said to work in 120klux ambient light. “Optical-based MAX25205 enables most hand gestures,” according to the company. “The gesture and proximity-sensing sensor features a high level of integration and comes in a 4 ...

AMS has introduced what it describes as the industry’s thinnest dedicated sensor for blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurement, the AS7038RB.   The sensor specialist and analogue chip supplier says it has the capability to remotely monitor this vital sign in small consumer products, such as earbuds, smart watches and wristbands. This is in addition to medical devices such as patches ...