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sensitivity and provide the ultimate firmware-enabled gas detection platform for indoor, outdoor and refrigeration applications alike.
The ZMOD platform sensors are resistant to contamination and siloxanes, commonly used in cleaning solvents, and each sensor module is electrically and chemically tested and calibrated during manufacture. The sensors have an I²C interface allowing measurement results to be read directly by the applications microprocessor, which can then be used to process the data to determine the levels of gases present.
Indoor Air Quality
The ZMOD4410 module is Renesas’ Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) platform which features embedded artificial intelligence (AI) with machine learning for accuracy and part-to-part consistency, the sensor is designed to detect trace gases in various locations within indoor environments. The sensor output based on AI machine learning algorithms allows measurement of total organic compounds (TVOC) concentrations, estimated carbon dioxide level (eCO2), and features an algorithm to set a control signal to trigger an external action based on IAQ and odour change and to also discriminate for sulphur-based odours.
The ZMOD4410 IAQ gas sensor module is supplied with pre-compiled firmware libraries that can be run on Renesas’ proprietary and ARM based microcontroller platforms, such as the RL78 or latest ARM RA2E1 entry line general purpose MCUs. These firmware libraries are suitable for mobile, industrial, and consumer applications. The behaviour of the sensor can be configured using these firmware libraries allowing designers to tailor products for individual room applications, such as smart odour sensing for ventilation systems, bathroom and kitchen monitoring and controls, and air quality monitors to help solve unique air quality problems. The ZMOD4410 IAQ sensor also features a low power configuration to support battery powered applications where sensors are to be deployed remotely, in low power operation the sensor consumes less than 1.5 mW. A new ultra-low power firmware update has also been released which can lower current consumption even further to typ. 0.2mW (Av). Furthermore, the sensor is available in an optional IP67 rated waterproof package which is designed with an integrated hydrophobic membrane to protect the sensor from harsh environments.
Having IP67 rated water and dust protection directly implemented in the sensor package makes the sensor extremely easy to integrate, especially in kitchen, bathroom and even outdoor applications or any environment where the sensor could be exposed to direct contact with water and dust.
The ZMOD4410 IAQ sensors have third-party certification for compliance with standards defined by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and best available eCO2 technology.
Outdoor Air Quality
For Outdoor Air Quality applications Renesas’ ZMOD4510 platform is the industry’s first digital OAQ sensor module, it is calibrated to detect ozone (O3) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases that contribute to unhealthy outdoor air quality. The ZMOD4510 has the ability to quantify combined ozone and NOx in concentrations as low as 20 parts per billion (ppb), coupled with its outstanding combination of flexibility and small size, makes it an ideal air quality sensor solution for a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications. For example, these sensors could be easily integrated into existing “Roadside infrastructure” equipment such as street lighting, road signage or electricity substations, providing additional product functionality and service features to the applications.
The ZMOD4510 OAQ sensor also has improved energy efficiency making it suitable for battery powered solutions and features high sensitivity and reliability. Complementing these advantages, the ZMOD4510 can be quickly integrated into designs thanks to the supplied pre-compiled firmware and the pre-calibration of the sensors, these attributes help reduce design timescales and lower production costs. The ZMOD4510 OAQ sensors provide reliable detection that correlates with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Air Quality Index (AQI) for measuring ozone and NOx gases.
Refrigeration Air Quality
The ZMOD4450 integrated digital gas sensor module for refrigeration air quality (RAQ) applications enables designers to add new odour detection and mitigation capabilities to refrigerators for consumer and industrial scale operations. Like the other ZMOD platforms the ZMOD4450 is software configured to sense a wide variety of gases that produce odours, affect food taste or cause foods to spoil prematurely. Early detection of these gases – ethylene, hydrogen sulphide, dimethyl sulphide, trimethylamine, and more – enables identification of spoiled food so it can be discarded before it affects other foods in the refrigerator.
Summary
The Renesas’ ZMOD sensor platforms have been designed to provide vital information that helps individuals manage their health and daily activities, as well as enable systems to efficiently manage smart air handling and measurement systems in buildings, factories, refrigeration systems, outdoor environments and in the home.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Renesas is an expert in providing sensor technologies that
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www.anglia-live.com to see the full range of Renesas products available from Anglia.
Components in Electronics May 2021 9
enable customers to design and build best-in-class sensor solutions. In addition to gas and air quality sensors, the Renesas line-up includes flow, humidity, temperature, position, proximity and Bio sensor products, they continue to expand the breadth of sensor technologies available with new unique and differentiated sensor solutions.
Design Support
Anglia offer comprehensive support for customer designs on the full range of Renesas sensors, with free evaluation kits and samples of Renesas products via the EZYsample service which is available to all registered Anglia Live account customers.
In addition, Anglia’s engineering team have extensive experience of working with air quality and other sensor designs and are on hand to provide valuable product demonstrations, insight, advice, and component recommendations for your application. This resource is available to support customers with all aspects of their designs, offering hands on hardware and software design support along with access to an extensive resource of technical application notes and expertise from Renesas.
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