When new products are introduced, manufacturers like to identify other potential applications beyond the one used to drive product development. Mounting an accelerometer on an arrow tip to provide ballistic measurements to evaluate bows probably was not on any accelerometer manufacturer’s list. However, that is what Full Flight Technology does to improve high-performance archery. Using […]
Infrared Sensor IC Addresses Temperature Measurements in Demanding Environments
Designed to measure high object temperatures (maximum of 1030°C), Melexis MLX90616ESF-HCA thermopile sensors have a stabilization period of less than half a minute instead of times that can extend up to half an hour. In addition to a secondary thermopile sensor that detects temperature variations in the package and in the optical assembly, for integration […]
Photoelectric Sensors Offer Application Advantages
Pepperl+Fuchs ML4.2 Series Subminiature Photoelectric Sensors have faster response times, multi-beam redundant detection, independent outputs and zero deadband sensing. The newest ML4.2 high-speed models offer 250 µs response time, half the time of the standard ML4.2 models. ML4.2 dual sensor redundant detection models have dual light beams from two emitter LEDs that reflect light to two […]
Measuring with a 2D Optical Micrometer
Keyence calls its TM-3000 the world’s first in-line 2D optical micrometer. By combining the functionality of a laser scan micrometer, machine vision system and optical comparator into a single device, the sensor eliminates the need for expensive positioning mechanisms to ensure the best precision. The 2D optical micrometer has a dual telecentric lens and a two-dimensional […]
Silicon MEMS Gyro Takes on Fiber Optic Gyros
Mechanical gyroscopes use a top-like mechanism spinning at high speed to detect angular position and provide high precision but at a high price. In contrast, fiber optic gyros (FOG) have minimal moving parts and offer high precision as well with a medium to high-end pricing. Sensonor Technologies’ STIM210 gyro module targets both designs with low […]
Sensors Monitor Solar Power Conversion
The conversion of solar energy to electrical power is anything but uniform under varying weather conditions. To monitor several key system parameters, RainWise, a professional grade meteorological equipment manufacturer designed the PVmet Solar Energy Efficiency Monitor specifically for the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The unit can continuously measure key solar panel performance indicators such as ambient […]
Smallest Sensor Week: Dual-Axis Gyroscopes Boast Smallest Packaging
With a 3 x 3 x 0.75-mm form factor, InvenSense Inc. lays claim to the world’s smallest dual-axis gyroscopes. Targeting optical image stabilization (OIS) in smartphones, the IDG-2020 is an x-y (roll and pitch) and the IXZ-2020 is an x-z (roll and yaw) dual-axis MEMS gyroscope. Features in the gyroscopes designed specifically for OIS requirements […]
Smallest Sensor Week: Dual-Axis Digital Accelerometer Boasts Smallest Packaging
The second of this week’s small sensors is the world’s smallest and most robust digital accelerometer from MEMSIC Inc. Using patented MEMS thermal technology manufactured with a standard 0.18 µm CMOS process and advanced wafer- level packaging (WLP), the MXC6226XC two-axis digital accelerometer fits within a 1.2. x 1.7 x 1.0 mm package. Per the company’s […]
Smallest Sensor Week: Smallest 3-Axis Digital Gyroscope
With microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology and semiconductor packages, sensor manufacturers compete to cram the most technology into the smallest package. This week, Sensor Tips will highlight products that the manufacturer says is the world’s smallest. Without performing the extensive research necessary to verify the claims, we’ll take their word for it. Users can take advantage […]
Hydrogen Pressure Sensor for Fuel-Cell Vehicles
Fuel-cell vehicles are among the automotive industry’s research efforts to reduce the dependence on petroleum. Monitoring the high pressure in the hydrogen storage tank(s) for a minimum of 10 year life expectancy is just one of the challenges in bringing these vehicles to volume production. With it’s recently introduced AST 2000H2 Hydrogen ASIC Pressure Sensor, […]