Renesas Introduces Ultra-Low Power Humidity Sensors

Introducing the HS40XX Series: Ultra-Low Power Relative Humidity and Temperature Sensors

Renesas has recently introduced a family of ultra-low power relative humidity and temperature sensors, known as the HS40XX series. These sensors are designed to provide accurate and stable measurements in a variety of applications, including home appliances, industrial automation, and climate control systems in vehicles.

Ideal for IoT and Battery-Powered Devices

The HS40XX series sensors are supplied in a small surface mount package, making them an ideal choice for Internet of Things (IoT) devices and battery-powered applications where power consumption is a critical concern. With a low current consumption of as little as 0.62 microamps when measuring every second, these sensors can help prolong battery life and reduce overall system power requirements.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Ultra-low power consumption: as little as 0.62 microamps when measuring every second
  • High accuracy and stability over time
  • Small surface mount package for space-constrained applications
  • Ideal for IoT, battery-powered devices, and applications where power consumption is critical

Evaluation Kit Available

For developers who want to try out the HS4001 sensor, Renesas offers an evaluation kit known as the HS4000 Evaluation Kit. This kit is available through Future Electronics' FTM Board Club and provides a convenient way to evaluate the performance of the HS4001 sensor in a variety of applications.

Applications

The HS40XX series sensors are suitable for use in a wide range of applications, including:

  • Home appliances: refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, etc.
  • Industrial automation: monitoring temperature and humidity levels in industrial processes
  • Climate control systems in vehicles: providing accurate temperature and humidity measurements for cabin comfort control

Conclusion

The HS40XX series sensors from Renesas offer a unique combination of ultra-low power consumption, high accuracy, and stability over time. With their small surface mount package and low current requirements, these sensors are an ideal choice for IoT devices, battery-powered applications, and systems where power consumption is critical.



Category Sensors and Microcontrollers
Company Overview Renesas Electronics Corporation is a Japanese semiconductor manufacturer that provides a wide range of sensor products, including optical sensors, hall effect sensors, temperature sensors, and more.
Background Renesas was established in 2003 as a result of the merger between Hitachi Semiconductor and Mitsubishi Electric Semiconductor. The company has since become one of the largest semiconductor companies in the world, with a diverse portfolio of products that cater to various industries such as automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.
Sensor Product Lineup Renesas offers a broad range of sensors, including:
  • Optical Sensors: photodiodes, phototransistors, and optical switches
  • Hall Effect Sensors: for magnetic field detection and current sensing
  • Temperature Sensors: thermistors, thermocouples, and temperature switches
  • Pressure Sensors: piezoresistive and capacitive pressure sensors
  • Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) Sensors: for motion tracking and stabilization
Key Features and Benefits Renesas sensors are known for their high accuracy, reliability, and durability. They offer various features such as low power consumption, small package size, and high sensitivity. These benefits enable designers to create innovative products with improved performance, efficiency, and user experience.
Applications Renesas sensors are used in a wide range of applications, including:
  • Automotive: advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous vehicles, and vehicle safety systems
  • Industrial: robotics, predictive maintenance, and process control
  • Consumer Electronics: smartphones, wearables, and gaming devices
  • Medical Devices: patient monitoring, diagnostic equipment, and portable medical devices


Renesas Introduces Ultra-Low Power Humidity Sensors

Summary: Renesas Electronics Corporation, a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, has introduced its new ultra-low power humidity sensors, designed to meet the growing demand for accurate and reliable humidity sensing in various applications.
Key Features: The new humidity sensors from Renesas offer a range of key features that make them ideal for use in a variety of applications, including:
  • Ultra-low power consumption: The sensors consume only 1.2 μA at 3V supply voltage, making them suitable for battery-powered devices.
  • High accuracy: The sensors offer an accuracy of ±1.5% RH (Relative Humidity) over a wide temperature range (-40°C to 125°C).
  • Fast response time: The sensors have a response time of less than 10 seconds, making them suitable for applications that require real-time humidity monitoring.
Applications: The ultra-low power humidity sensors from Renesas are designed to be used in a range of applications, including:
  • Wearables and mobile devices: The sensors' low power consumption makes them ideal for use in wearable devices and smartphones.
  • Industrial automation: The sensors can be used in industrial automation systems to monitor humidity levels in real-time.
  • Agricultural monitoring: The sensors can be used in agricultural applications to monitor soil moisture levels and optimize irrigation systems.
Technical Specifications: The ultra-low power humidity sensors from Renesas have the following technical specifications:
Parameter Value
Supply Voltage 2.7V to 5.5V
Current Consumption 1.2 μA (at 3V supply voltage)
Accuracy ±1.5% RH (Relative Humidity)
Response Time <10 seconds


Q1: What is the latest introduction from Renesas? Renesas has introduced ultra-low power humidity sensors.
Q2: What makes these humidity sensors special? These humidity sensors have an ultra-low power consumption, making them ideal for battery-powered devices and IoT applications.
Q3: What is the typical current consumption of Renesas' new humidity sensors? The typical current consumption is only 1.5 μA, which is significantly lower than existing solutions.
Q4: What type of measurements can be taken with these humidity sensors? These sensors can measure relative humidity (RH) and temperature.
Q5: Are the new humidity sensors from Renesas compatible with existing devices?
Q6: What is the temperature range of these humidity sensors? The operating temperature range is from -40°C to 125°C.
Q7: Can these sensors be used in harsh environments?
Q8: What type of applications are Renesas' ultra-low power humidity sensors suitable for? They are suitable for a wide range of applications, including IoT devices, smart home systems, industrial automation, and medical devices.
Q9: How accurate are the measurements taken by these humidity sensors? The sensors have an accuracy of ±3% RH (relative humidity) over a wide temperature range.
Q10: What is the expected impact of Renesas' new ultra-low power humidity sensors on the market? The introduction of these sensors is expected to significantly expand the use of humidity sensing in various applications, particularly in IoT and industrial automation.




Rank Pioneers/Companies Description
1 Renesas Electronics Introduced ultra-low power humidity sensors for industrial and IoT applications.
2 Sensirion Developed high-accuracy humidity sensors for various industries, including automotive and medical.
3 Honeywell International Offers a range of humidity sensors for industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
4 Texas Instruments Provides ultra-low power humidity sensors for wearable devices, smartphones, and IoT applications.
5 STMicroelectronics Developed advanced humidity sensors with high accuracy and low power consumption.
6 Bosch Sensortec Offers a range of humidity sensors for industrial, automotive, and consumer electronics applications.
7 AMS (austriamicrosystems) Provides high-accuracy humidity sensors for various industries, including medical and industrial.
8 NXP Semiconductors Developed low-power humidity sensors for IoT, wearable devices, and automotive applications.
9 Omron Electronics Offers a range of humidity sensors for industrial, medical, and consumer electronics applications.
10 Delta Ohm Provides high-accuracy humidity sensors for various industries, including agricultural and environmental monitoring.




Renesas Introduces Ultra-Low Power Humidity Sensors
Product Features Description
Operating Voltage 2.7V to 5.5V
Current Consumption (active mode) 3.5 μA typical, 6.5 μA max
Current Consumption (sleep mode) 0.15 μA typical, 0.3 μA max
Measurement Range 20% to 80% relative humidity (RH)
Accuracy ±2% RH at 25°C, ±4% RH over -40°C to 85°C temperature range
Sensor Output 12-bit digital output, with optional analog output
I2C (up to 1 MHz), SPI (up to 10 MHz)
Technical Specifications Values
Package Type DIP-8, SOIC-8, QFN-16
Operating Temperature Range -40°C to 85°C
Storage Temperature Range -40°C to 125°C
Humidity Sensitivity ±0.5% RH per year, typical

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Ultra-low power consumption for extended battery life in IoT devices
  • High accuracy and sensitivity for reliable humidity measurement
  • Compact package options for space-constrained designs