Page 19 - EE Times Europe Magazine | February 2020

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Sensing the Environment as with Human Senses

Compared with passive infrared technologies, radar offers many
advantages in “seeing” and motion detection. These include higher
accuracy and the precise detection of the smallest movements,
so-called micromotions. The Infi neon radar sensor portfolio of the
XENSIV family ranges from the world’s smallest 24-GHz monolithic
microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) to a highly integrated 60-GHz
transceiver. This chip features an integrated antenna and allows
“seeing” at the highest level, both under normal conditions but more
specifi cally under extreme conditions such as darkness, fog and dust, or
through materials.

ROBUST MOTION DETECTION
Smartwatches, wearables, and smartphones use air pressure sen-
sors to accurately detect differences in altitude, vertical speed, and
movements. In addition, these sensors can monitor airfl ow in vacuum
cleaners, air conditioners, and extractor hoods. Applications that ben-
efi t from these exact and robust pressure sensors are also increasingly
Figure 2: The REAL3 3D image sensor is virtually a miniature found in medicine — for example, in smart inhalation devices, breath-
camera. ing masks, fall-detection monitors, and non-invasive blood pressure
measurement.
and most powerful D image sensor. The new REAL single-chip solu- The Infi neon DPS 6 pressure sensor (Figure 3) is ideal for these
tion (Figure 2) measures just . .1 mm and is the fi fth generation applications because it saves up to 0 of the required space compared
of successful ToF deep sensors from Infi neon. In addition to its small with other waterproof pressure sensors, offers accuracy of ±2 cm, and
dimensions, which allow it to be incorporated into even the smallest requires up to 0 less energy than piezoresistive technology. The
devices with just a few elements, the chip provides high-resolution digital sensor, which measures atmospheric air pressure, is resistant to
data with low power consumption, delivering up to VGA resolution. The water, humidity, and dust (IP ). A gel protects the contact points and
high-performance pixel array achieves excellent outdoor performance, membranes so that they can withstand the pressure at a water depth of
especially in strong sunlight. This is made possible by the patented SBI 0 m for one hour.
circuit in each individual pixel (SBI stands for “suppression of back-
ground illumination”).
The latest generation of the REAL chip is very robust, reliable,
powerful, energy-efficient, and, at the same time, decisively small.
Integrated in a related device, the new sensor allows the device to
be controlled via gestures, so that human-machine interaction is
context-based and touchless. The depth sensor’s ToF technology
enables an accurate D image of faces, hand details, or objects — a
relevant capability when it must be ensured that the image matches
the original. This technology is already applied in payment trans-
actions using mobile phones or devices that need no bank details,
bank cards, or cashiers, with the payment carried out via facial
recognition instead. This application requires an extremely reliable
and secure image and return transmission of the high-resolution Figure 3: The robust DPS368 air pressure sensor precisely detects
D image data. The same applies to securely unlocking devices with minimal differences in altitude, vertical speed, and movement.
a D image. The Infineon D image sensor also implements this
function, particularly in extreme lighting conditions such as strong The pressure sensor element of the DPS 6 operates with a capac-
sunlight or in the dark. itive-measurement principle that guarantees high accuracy even with
Furthermore, the chip enables features for ambitious photography temperature changes. The sensor integrates both air pressure and
and videography, such as enhanced autofocus, the bokeh effect for temperature measurement in an extremely compact eight-pin land-
photos and video, and improved resolution in poor lighting conditions. grid array (LGA) package measuring only 2.0 2. 1.1 mm. The device
Real-time full- D mapping also allows authentic augmented-reality has an accuracy of up to 0.002 hPa ( 2 cm), can measure air pressure
experiences. between 00 hPa and 1,200 hPa at temperatures from 0 C to C,
Series production of the new D image sensor chip (IRS2 C) will and has a pressure temperature sensitivity of less than 0. Pa K. The
begin in the middle of 2020. In addition, Infi neon Technologies offers
an optimized illumination driver (IRS 100C) that further improves
performance, size, and cost as a complete solution.

PRECISE VIEW WITH RADAR
Radar has evolved from a complex cutting-edge technology to a
solution that is becoming ever-more important in industry and the
consumer market. It is increasingly being used in robotics, cars, and
smart homes and supports new technologies that work with an intui-
tive human-machine interface. Radar sensors make it easier to locate Meet Infi neon at MWC 2020 at booth 6C41
targets in three-dimensional space and can be used to detect vital
functions, to classify materials or movements, or for gesture control.

www.eetimes.eu | FEBRUARY 2020