Omron and ST design smart MEMS gas sensor
Omron and STMicroelectronics have developed a MEMS-based gas flow
sensor which is notable because it can correct for differences in the
composition of the gas being measured.
Designed to be
incorporated into electronic replacements for mechanical gas meters, the
sensor combines Omron's MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) thermal
flow transducer with ST's analogue front-end IC.
The gas
flow-rate measurement system does not need to be configured for a
certain type of gas at the time of shipment or installation. The device
compensates for both temperature and pressure variations and a built-in
circuit compensates for the variation of multiple gas composition.
"By
enabling IT-based smart metering, this new technology will
significantly contribute to energy saving," said Yoshio Sekiguchi,
senior general manager of the micro devices division of Omron.
Omron will start sample shipments of the new sensor in November 2012.