Omron relaunches its entire range of MEMS thermal sensors in Europe, including versions with a wider field of view and ideal for presence detection and other similar applications.
The new Omron D6T-1A-02 is a highly sensitive infrared (IR) temperature sensor that takes full advantage of Omron's proprietary MEMS sensing technology. It can measure the surface temperature of an object between -40 and +80°C within the target area with an accuracy of +/-1.5°C and a resolution of 0.06°C. The device includes an advanced MEMS thermopile, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a signal processing microprocessor in a tiny package measuring just 12.0 mm x 11.6 mm x 9.2 mm. The D6T-1A-02 features a narrow 26.5-square-degree field of view, enabling it to accurately determine the surface temperature of a given object within this area. It also incorporates a digital I2C output that offers excellent noise immunity (measured as equivalent temperature difference to noise) of 140 mK.
The Omron D6T thermal sensor is also ideal for building automation applications, measuring room temperature or detecting presence even when people are stationary. For these applications, Omron offers versions with a wider field of view. These include a 1x1 device, the D6T-1A-01, with a 58-square-degree field of view, as well as 4x4 and 1x8 versions. These highly sensitive sensors are an excellent alternative to pyroelectric sensors or PIR detectors in home automation, building automation, healthcare, security, and industrial applications, where it is often difficult to distinguish between an unoccupied space and a stationary person.
While standard thermal sensors can only measure temperature at a single point of contact, the D6T series can measure the temperature of an entire area without contact. The signals generated by infrared rays are extremely weak. To achieve reliable detection, Omron has developed and manufactured every element of the new, highly sensitive thermal sensor, from the MEMS sensors to the ASICs and other application-specific components.
The technology behind Omron's D6T thermal sensors combines a MEMS micromirror structure for efficient IR radiation detection with high-performance silicon lenses to focus infrared rays onto their thermopiles. The ASIC uses proprietary algorithms to perform the necessary calculations and convert the sensor signals into digital I2C outputs. All components were developed in-house and manufactured at Omron's dedicated MEMS production facilities.
