Sensor Tips

RF-Enabled Sensing Benefits from ProximaRF Kit

Randy Frank — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:49:52 +0000

ProximaRF, a company that specializes in high frequency (13.56 MHz) RFID has developed an RFID–enabled sensor kit that provides users access to Melexis MLX90129 RFID sensor transponder IC.

Using the ProximaRF DVK90129 reader and evaluation kit, developers can immediately read and write code to the RFID IC using a plug and play USB high frequency reader without any additional design requirements. In addition to the USB desktop HF RF reader, the kit includes an XML-based API to simplify sensor interface, ready-to-use dashboard demo tools and the RFID-enabled sensor evaluation board with thermometer, light sensor and potentiometer.

For more information about ProximaRF DVK90129 RFID Sensor Kit, click here.

Making Sensor Classifications Easy

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:02:14 +0000

In this Frank Talk About Sensors, Randy Frank discusses different ways of classifying sensors including the Sensor TiPS approach.

Freescale Merges Accelerometer and 32-Bit Micro into One Package

Randy Frank — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:58:37 +0000

A tiny 3 x 3 x 1 mm package provides the home for a 3-axis accelerometer and a 32-bit microcontroller (MCU). Part of an approach that Freescale Semiconductor calls its Xtrinsic sensing solutions, the MMA9550L addresses both the sensing and computing needs of the rapidly proliferating touch sensing applications. As if this wasn’t enough, the package also holds a power management capability as well as I2C and SPI connectivity.

Since the MCU is the company’s well-established ColdFire MCU, software can be easily developed for Xtrinsic products using CodeWarrior tools. Internal algorithms simplify implementing freefall detection, tilt and 3D orientation detection, tap and double tap detection, dead reckoning, shock, vibration and sudden motion detection. Specific capabilities for targeted consumer applications include 14-bit resolution, low-noise and low-power consumption.

For more information about Freescale Semiconductor’s MMA9550L Xtrinsic sensing solution, click here.

Customizable Energy Harvesting Development Kit

Randy Frank — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:24:37 +0000

Microchip and Cymbet have combined forces to offer what is being called the world’s first customizable energy harvesting development kit. The XLP Kit uses Microchip’s PIC24F16KA102 microcontroller with eXtreme Low Power (XLP) technology and Cymbet’s EnerChip EH Eval-08 Energy Harvesting Board. The EH board converts solar to electrical energy and stores it in an EnerChip solid-state, rechargeable energy-storage device. The kit allows users to evaluate a wide variety of system functions, including ZigBee and proprietary wireless connectivity without designing any hardware.

For more information on the XLP 16-bit Energy Harvesting Development Kit, click here.

Humidity and Temperature Sensor Qualified to Automotive AEC-Q100 Requirements

Randy Frank — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:10:04 +0000

Many environments require special qualification testing to prove that the product can withstand more than usual application requirements. This can include Underwriters Laboratories (UL), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) or in the case of automotive, the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC).

Sensirion’s SHT21 humidity and temperature sensor has passed rigorous AEC Q100 qualification testing. The capacitive type humidity sensor and an improved band gap temperature sensor are Implemented in a standard semiconductor fabrication process. Sensirion’s CMOSens technology enables the sensor component to be combined with the analog and digital signal processing circuitry. As a result, the output of the SHT21 can be either digital I2C, analog pulse width modulated (PWM) or analog Sigma Delta Modulated (SDM) format.

An evaluation Kit EK-H4 is available for the SHT21.

For more information on Sensirion’s SHT21 humidity and temperature sensor, click here.

Kistler Single-Axis IEPE Accelerometer Weighs in at Just 3.5 Grams

Randy Frank — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:43:00 +0000

Kistler’s recently announced Type 8640A accelerometer is an Integral Electronics Piezoelectric (IEPE) unit that has an IEEE TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) option. Besides weighing only 3.5 grams, the 0.394 x 0.394-inch sensor has an integral 10-32 connector and a 5-40 UNC-2B stud mount as part of its hermetically-sealed, welded titanium housing. The internal ceramic cantilever beam sensing element is thermally compensated with a temperature coefficient of sensitivity of 0.1302 %/°F.

Designed for the multi-channel modal and structural analysis of small or thin-walled structures and components, the accelerometers are offered in ranges of ±5 g, ±10 g and ±50 g, with sensitivities from 100 to 1000 mV/g.

For more information about Kistler 8640A accelerometers click here.

KEYENCE Laser Displacement Sensor Provides Fast Sensing

Randy Frank — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:08:55 +0000

KEYENCE LK-G5000 Laser Displacement Sensor uses a newly developed RS-CMOS sensor to provide a sampling rate of 392 kHz – eight times faster than previous models. With ±0.02% Full Scale Linearity and 0.01µm repeatability, the sensor also has several additional capabilities. ABLE (Active Balanced Laser Control Engine) II balances laser emission time, laser power and gain for optimum performance. The sensor has three selectable built-in algorithms:

1-Real Peak Detect (RPD) algorithm avoids pattern distortion of translucent object

2-Multi-Able Control optimizes the laser intensity for transparent targets

3-Center and Peak Composition (CPC) algorithm attains more stable high-definition measurements for high luster resins

The LK-G5000 can also measure speed and acceleration while measuring displacement.

For more information about KEYENCE LK-G5000 Laser Displacement Sensor, click here.

Honeywell Zephyr Digital Airflow Sensors Provide 2.5% Accuracy

Randy Frank — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:27:52 +0000

Using a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sense die and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for signal conditioning and interfacing, Honeywell’s Zephyr Digital Airflow Sensors achieve 2.5% accuracy. The fully calibrated and temperature compensated HAF Series are available in standard flow ranges of ±200 SCCM and ±1000 SCCM.

The MEMS design has thermally isolated heater and temperature sensing elements, providing a fast response to air or gas flow. The ASIC provides an I²C digital output to simplify interfacing to microcontrollers. A 3.3 Vdc voltage option, low power requirements and small size make the units well suited for battery-powered and portable applications.

For more information about Honeywell Zephyr™ Digital Airflow Sensors, click here.

Connect Sensors in Point-to-Point Systems Easily with ZMD Dev Tool

Randy Frank — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:42:49 +0000

Depending on the system, different sensor interfaces are required. For example, in automotive applications, Controller Area Network (CAN) or Local Interconnect Network (LIN) are common networks for communicating sensor data. However, the SAE J2716 SENT (for Single Edge Nibble Transmission) protocol has been developed and companies have started to introduce products that meet it.

In industrial and commercial sensor interface applications, the IO-Link Consortium’s IO-Link is one of the many protocols for communicating sensor and actuator data. Supported by several automation companies, the field level point-to-point connection system is compatible with existing I/O standards. ZMD AG ZIOL2401 integrated circuit (IC) is a high-voltage line driver for IO-Link and standard I/O applications.

To make IO Link easier to implement, ZMDI developed both starter kit and a lab kit. Designers can implement serial interfaces and control basic I/O and switching functions with the ZIOL2401 Starter Kit that consists of the ZIOL2401 USB stick, a board with a microcontroller, ZIOL2401 IC and USB interface.

To develop more complex applications and transfer the results to an existing system, the ZIOL2401 Lab Kit consists of three separate boards: a microcontroller board, a cable-board and the ZIOL2401 prototyping board. Both kits have development software that allows designers to individually program bit-level functions via a graphical interface or use a command-line interface.

For more information on ZMDI’s IO-Link Master and Device Evaluation Tools, click here.

Low Pressure Sensing Chip uses Advanced MEMS Technology

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:10:24 +0000

Welcome to Frank Talk about Sensors. I’m Randy Frank and today I’m talking to Tim Shotter, director of new products at All Sensors, a leading supplier of MEMS-based pressure sensors and systems. Tim, welcome back to Frank Talk About Sensors.