Recently, the progress of uncooled infrared (IR) sensors has been remarkable due to MEMS based pixel structure. Many applications are being developed, such as thermography, human detection, night vision and so on. Quantification of this energy allows users to determine the temperature and thermal behaviour of objects. Infrared thermal sensing and imaging instruments make it possible to measure and map surface temperature and thermal distribution passively and non-intrusively.
Panasonic’s Grid-EYE is an 8 x 8 thermopile array sensor and has a 64 pixel IR camera in an all-in-one compact SMD package and is the first product of its kind. Unlike conventional sensors it uses a patented 60° silicon lens etched out of a silicon wafer, which is the smallest available lens in the market and less than 0.3mm high that enables the sensor package size to be reduced to only 11.6mm x 8mm x 4.3mm. That’s around 70 % smaller than competitors’ products. Compared to single element thermopile sensors and pyroelectric sensors, it is not only possible to detect moving people and objects but also the position and presence of motionless people and objects, the direction of movements and the accurate surface temperature. Its coordinated array of sensing elements can even detect multiple people or objects moving in different directions. Grid-EYE offers the widest range of features when compared with single element thermopile sensors and multiple element passive infrared sensors. Motionless objet detection, movement direction and a thermal image with 64 pixel resolution are unique features for the Grid-EYE infrared array sensor.
In the following video Mubeen Abbas, Product Marketing Manager for Grid-EYE at Panasonic, talks about the technology behind the Infrared Array sensor and its broad applications as well as the Evaluation Kit.
For further information visit Panasonic Automotive & Industrial Systems Company Europe
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