Tiny MEMS humidity sensor capacitors for high precision
Würth Elektronik has launched a compact, cost-effective MEMS digital humidity sensor for a wide range of applications.
The WSEN-HIDS series MEMS humidity sensor measures with a precision of ±1.8% RH in a 20 to 80 percent relative humidity range. The DFN (Dual Flat No Leads) package for SMT assembly measures just 1.5- x 1.5- x 0.5-mm. The sensor works with a current of only 0.4 µA and can be operated with a power supply between 1.08 and 3.6 V, making it ideally suited for distributed IoT sensor networks, such as those in smart farming applications.
The humidity sensor uses a dielectric polymer that interacts with water molecules to adjust the permeability of the capacitor structure depending on the relative humidity of the surroundings. A temperature sensor is also included. Using the integrated analog-digital converter, the momentary temperature as well as the humidity information can be transmitted as 16-bit measurement data directly to conventional microcontrollers via an I²C interface. The heater (also included) with three selectable heating levels can be switched on temporarily as required, so the sensor works effectively even under demanding ambient conditions and the measurement is not falsified by condensation.
The humidity sensor is extremely versatile – from air conditioning equipment to data loggers in the food industry, to smart buildings, vertical farming, and other applications that require precise environmental control.
To support rapid prototyping, the humidity sensor is part of the FeatherWing sensor and the IoT Development Kit from Würth Elektronik.
Würth Elektronik recently expanded the WSENPDUS family of differential pressure sensors with two new models that work with an operating voltage of 3.3 V and are therefore compatible with most microcontrollers that support this supply voltage. The other models in the series require 5 V. What all sensors have in common is their high robustness and accuracy of up to ±0.25 percent FSS tolerance. In addition, a sensor version is now also available with horizontal nozzles.
The new packaging design with horizontal-barbed nozzles enables pneumatic hoses to be connected directly to the sensor nozzles. This eliminates the need for an additional adapter and simplifies the installation process. Equipped with digital I²C and analog output interfaces, the sensors deliver fully calibrated pressure data as well as optional temperature data. Different transfer functions from ±1 mbar to +15 bar (±0.0145 PSI to +0.218 PSI) may be selected. The robust differential pressure sensors with an operating temperature range of -25°C to +85°C can be used in a variety of applications from HVAC technology to monitoring filter status and detecting gas leaks, through to inhalers.
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