With more than 20 years of industry experience, Renesas is an expert in providing technologies and unique differentiated sensors that enable developers to design and build best-in-class solutions. The Renesas ZMOD4450 gas sensor module continues this rich history, the sensor is a software configurable platform designed for detecting gases associated with food ripening or rotting and is targeted for use in refrigeration air quality (RAQ) applications.
The ZMOD4450 sensor is housed in a compact 12-pin LGA assembly (3.0 x 3.0 x 0.7 mm) that consists of a gas sense element and a CMOS signal conditioning IC. The module’s sense element consists of a micro-heater and sensing material integrated on a silicon-based MEMS structure. It measures the metal oxide (MOx) conductivity, which is a function of the gas concentration.
The sensor has a response time for a gas stimulation of a few seconds, depending on the gas and its concentration, an active or direct airflow onto the sensor module is not necessary since diffusion of ambient gas does not limit the sensor module response time.
The measurement results can be read via an I²C interface with the host systems microprocessor, which processes the data to determine the levels of gases present and to indicate the likelihood of food spoilage. The sensor can be used to activate and manage air quality purification and remediation systems.
ZMOD4450 Application Circuit
The provided firmware can be used to determine the level of gases present and to indicate the likelihood of food spoilage. With its low operating current consumption, the ZMOD4450 is an excellent choice for low-voltage and low-power battery applications. Built-in non-volatile memory (NVM) stores the module configuration and calibration data.
The ZMOD4450 has a supply voltage range of 1.7V to 3.6V and features a low operating current, typically 7mA @ 3.3V, consuming just 23mW of average power under continuous operating conditions. The sensor module has a sleep mode which reduces the current during measurement delays to 450nA.
ZMOD4450 Block Diagram
The ZMOD4450 allows control of an external device, such as an active air filter or ozone generator, based on the air quality changes. Although the sensor module is not selective to an individual gas, it detects a variety of volatile organic and sulphur compounds. The graph below shows the sensor modules response to the most relevant organic and sulphur-based gases associated with food quality.
ZMOD4450 Gas response to typical gases and levels of expected refrigeration gases
The ZMOD4450 sensor is an excellent choice for applications including industrial or commercial refrigerator control systems, measurement of fruit and vegetable quality and monitoring equipment for fruit and vegetable storage conditions.
Evaluation Kit
The ZMOD4450 Evaluation Kit (EVK) assists developers evaluating the ZMOD4450 Gas Sensor Module for Refrigeration Air Quality (RAQ) applications. The board includes an integrated light sensor which can be used to indicate if the refrigerator door is open and a control signal may then be set up to trigger an external device (e.g., active filter ventilation, ozone generation etc.) based on the air quality change.
The ZMOD4450 evaluation software allows Windows®-based operating systems to communicate with the ZMOD4450 EVK via a USB connection on the user’s computer, which functions as a master. The software and additional related documentation is available on the Renesas website. The EVK’s communication board handles the interface between the user’s computer and the ZMOD4450 module mounted on the ZMOD4450 sensor board (Daughter Board). The ZMOD4450 evaluation kit uses an FTDI controller on the communication board to handle the USB protocol, translate communications, and synchronize communications with the I²C interface. An on-board potentiometer can be used to adjust the internal supply voltage in the typical range from 1.7V to 3.6V, alternatively, the user’s external supply voltage can be used.
Anglia are offering customers a FREE development kit and samples of the ZMOD4450 Gas Sensor Module for Refrigeration Air Quality from Renesas, please fill in the form below to register now.
FREE samples for UK and Ireland customers only, subject to availability.
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