Accurate temperature detection using non-contact sensors is a crucial safety requirement across a wide range of industries, from consumer goods to industrial design. However, designers of such systems face numerous challenges that require solutions. Among these challenges, cost and accuracy are often key bottlenecks, as is the need to incorporate an additional microcontroller unit (MCU) alongside existing thermographic sensors to calculate and enable accurate temperature array output, further increasing costs and the number of components.
Housed in a compact, four-wire TO39 package, the MLX90642 offers seamless integration, enhanced by its factory calibration, enabling direct temperature communication without the need for a dedicated MCU. This functionality helps drive smaller, more efficient, and lower-cost designs. Performance is also redefined with the MLX90642. It features precise, low-noise operation with a NETD (Netly Equivalent Temperature Difference) of 65 mK at a 2 Hz update rate. The update rate can be configured up to 16 Hz as required. The MLX90642 boasts a robust design with improved immunity to external thermal gradients and a wide operating temperature range from -40 °C to 85 °C.
The MLX90642's functionality plays a fundamental role in improving the quality and accuracy of thermal images, surpassing existing solutions. For consumer applications such as kitchens or climate control, the sensor can help enable closer monitoring, greater efficiency, improved user satisfaction and safety, and pave the way for smart applications that require more feedback to automate typically manual tasks.
Examples of these applications include AI-enhanced computer vision, such as smart building occupancy monitoring or gesture recognition services. These applications require greater accuracy and noise reduction, enabling extended detection distances with high refresh rates.
To accommodate a wide range of operations, the sensor is available in two field-of-view (FOV) options: 45° x 35° and 110° x 75°, both with 768 high-precision IR pixels. The MLX90642 has a current consumption of 28 mA, a supply voltage of 3.3 V, and an I2C-compatible digital interface to further simplify integration. Backed by Melexis' robust and highly scalable manufacturing systems and extensive application expertise, the MLX90642 is well-suited to handle a diverse range of applications.
