Advancements in Smart Sensors for Sustainable Industrial Systems Showcased at SENSOR + TEST 2024

In June 2024, STMicroelectronics took part in SENSOR + TEST 2024, a global trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany. The event, which drew more than 5,000 attendees, highlighted the latest sensor technology developments. It served as a great chance to engage with clients and collaborators and discover potential business prospects.

During the event, we showcased our newest sensing technologies designed to improve the efficiency and safety of industrial systems. Our products demonstrated progress in fields such as monitoring equipment conditions, using low power for visual capabilities, implementing intelligent perception, and monitoring electrical currents. This article will discuss some of the main demonstrations that attendees had the opportunity to experience firsthand.

The ISM330BX is a flexible IMU used for monitoring the condition of machinery, robots, and household appliances. It includes a 3-axis digital gyroscope and accelerometer for detecting anomalies in water systems and pumps. This compact solution also offers embedded intelligence for tracking orientation in 3D and measuring vibrations.

The IMU is well-suited for monitoring the condition of machines because of its 3-axis accelerometer that has a low-noise and wide-bandwidth (2 kHz) frequency response. This feature enables it to meet the strict ISO-10816 vibration severity standards. In addition to condition monitoring, the ISM330BX can also be used in robotics. It provides reliable 3D orientation tracking with sensor fusion low power (SFLP) technology, allowing for low-power operation without sacrificing accuracy. Furthermore, its vibration sensing abilities make it even more suitable for robotic systems.

The system includes features such as measuring and compensating for vibrations, detecting anomalies to identify faults, and detecting water leaks using Qvar sensing technology. This package is also included in STMicroelectronics' longevity program, ensuring availability and support for at least 10 years after the product is introduced. This is important for applications that have long development cycles or extended lifespans in the field.

The TSC2020 current sense amplifier is well-suited for applications such as motor control, battery management systems, and solenoid valves. It offers precise measurements with minimal offset voltage (maximum of ±150 µV) and drift (0.5 µV/°C), low gain error (maximum of 0.3%) and drift (3.5 ppm/°C), and is compatible with a wide range of common-mode voltages (-4V to +100V) for use in high voltage systems.

The bidirectional current sensing feature provides flexibility, while the high common-mode rejection (minimum of 100 dB) reduces noise for accurate measurements. The design also includes built-in EMI filters, improved PWM rejection, a wide range of operating temperatures (-40°C to +125°C), and AEC-Q100 certification for use in automotive applications. Additionally, users have the option of selecting internal fixed gain settings (20V/V, 50V/V, or 100V/V) to eliminate the need for external resistors. The versatile pinout allows for both bidirectional and unidirectional current sensing using just two reference voltage pins (Vref1 and Vref2). Available in SO8 and MiniSO8 packages, the TSC2020 minimizes the space required on PCBs. This current sense amplifier is part of STMicroelectronics' extensive selection of high-performance devices.

Introducing the VD55G1, a next-generation smart vision system that operates on low power. This sensor from ST is a 0.56MP global shutter sensor that offers compact and efficient image sensing. With a pixel size of 2.16µm, the VD55G1 is designed to be small (2.73 x 2.16 mm²) for devices like AR/VR glasses that have limited space. In addition to its compact size, the VD55G1 is known for its low power consumption, making it perfect for devices that run on batteries, such as security cameras. The sensor also features a smart auto wake-up function that helps to conserve energy by only activating when needed, reducing constant power usage.

In addition, the VD55G1 camera is equipped with built-in features such as automatic exposure and noise reduction to produce high-quality images. It can remove background noise and capture frames of events while providing synchronized information output. The camera is easy to integrate with MIPI CSI-2 output and I²C/I3C interfaces.

STMicroelectronics has launched the STHS34PF80, a new uncooled infrared sensor designed for detecting occupancy in various applications. Unlike traditional PIR sensors, the STHS34PF80 is able to detect both stationary and moving objects within an 80° field of view. This is made possible by its sensitivity of 2000 LSB/°C operating in the 5 µm to 20 µm wavelength range.

Furthermore, this sensor can recognize when a person is within a 4-meter range without the use of large Fresnel lenses, and is easy to incorporate due to its small size of 3.2 x 4.2 x 1.455 mm in an LGA package. The sensor has built-in algorithms to detect human presence and movement, decreasing the need for external microcontrollers. This helps reduce the sensor's power consumption to only 10 µA at 1Hz, supporting environmentally-friendly product development.

Learn more about Sensor + Test 2024 by visiting their website for additional information.

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