While standard thermal sensors are only able to measure temperature at one certain contact point, the D6T can measure the temperature of an entire area contactlessly. Signals generated by infrared rays are usually extremely weak, and high-sensitivity detection is therefore very difficult to achieve. However, Omron has developed and manufactured in-house every part of the new thermal sensor, from the MEMS sensors to ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) and other application-specific parts, specifically with the aim of ensuring that the D6T is capable of highly sensitive detection.
The technology behind the D6T thermal sensors combines a MEMS micro-mirror structure for efficient IR radiation detection with a high-performance silicon lens to focus the infrared rays onto its thermopiles. Proprietary application-specific integrated circuits then make the necessary computations and convert sensor signals into digital I2C outputs. All components were developed in-house and are fabricated in Omron's own MEMS facilities. The result is high ±1.5°C accuracy with excellent noise immunity (measured as noise equivalent temperature difference) of 140mK.
In terms of applications, there is no shortage of possibilities. These range from aiding in the creation and development of new advanced energy-saving household appliances, through the enhancement of home and building energy management systems to a wide variety of factory automation applications. It could also be used in healthcare applications to see if a patient has left the bed.
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