24 Dec 11

Just released is the Texas Instruments TMP006 single-chip digital infrared MEMS temperature sensor is the first sensor or its type that can actually measure the temperature of an object without making contact with the object. These temperature sensors use a thermopile to absorb the infrared energy emitted from an object and its temperature is then calculated from the corresponding change in thermopile voltage, which is referenced to a local temperature voltage level.

The TMP006 sensor that has been optimized for thermal management and thermal protection applications, but it can be used in many other applications where remote non-contact sensing is needed, such as the temperature of the casing of an electric motor or an electronics module.

The device comes in a 1.6mm x 1.6mm package, which is about 20 times smaller than existing solutions while consuming about 10 times less power. It offers 16 bit resolution so it can detect a 0.0156 °C change in temperature over a temperature range of –40°C to +125°C. This corresponds to a sensor voltage output change that is rated at 7 μV/°C. Other notable features include an SMBus™ compatible interface, pin-programmable interface addressing, a low supply current of 240 μA, and a minimum supply voltage of  2.2 V.