Vacuum transducer evaluation kit.

An evaluation kit for the Posifa Technologies PVC4000 series of digital MEMS Pirani vacuum transducer is now available. This promises to disrupt the portable vacuum gauge market by enabling low-cost, easily replaceable sensor probes that can be switched without requiring the vacuum gauge itself to be recalibrated, since all the calibration data is stored within the probe itself.

The PVC4000EVK evaluation kit announced today allows OEMs to quickly test drive Posifa's MEMS vacuum sensing technology for digital vacuum gauge and related applications. The PVC4000EVK kit consists of a PVC4000 transducer packaged in a brass housing with a 1/4 SAE male flare fitting, or a stainless steel housing with a KF16 fitting that allows it to be installed into any vacuum environment for quick evaluation. The PVC4000 transducer in the kit is calibrated and provides a digital output in microns. The kit's PC-based diagnostic software gives users access to different sensor readings and configuration data stored in the transducer.

"With the PVC4000EVK, vacuum gauge OEMs can find out in an hour's time what our digital Pirani vacuum sensor technology can do to help them offer customers more flexible and versatile end products that build brand loyalty," said Peng Tu, president and CEO at Posifa Technologies.

The PVC4000EVK's sensor element is based on Posifa's second-generation MEMS thermal conduction chip, which operates under the principle that the thermal conductivity of gas is proportional to its vacuum pressure. The transducer's microcontroller-based measuring electronics amplify and digitize the senor's signal, providing a digital output via an I²C interface.

The MEMS Pirani vacuum transducer included in the evaluation kit is calibrated for the vacuum range between 1 micron and 760,000 microns. Through the transducer's digital I²C interface, the user can access the sensor's raw output as well as the calibrated vacuum reading. The evaluation kit includes a custom wire harness that connects the sensor and the I²C to a USB adapter board, allowing the user to read sensor data from a PC in minutes.

#PosifaTech #Pauto 

Vacuum Transducer for OEMs.

Device Packages a MEMS Pirani Sensor and Microcontroller-Based Measuring Electronics in a Compact PCB Assembly

Their new PVC4000 series MEMS Pirani vacuum transducer has been announced by Posifa Technologies. Designed for cost-effective OEM integration, the device consists of a surface-mount MEMS Pirani sensor and microcontroller-based measuring electronics — all packaged in an ultra-compact PCB assembly featuring a connector-terminated wire harness.

The PVC4000's sensor element is based on Posifa's second-generation MEMS thermal conduction chip, which operates under the principle that the thermal conductivity of gas is proportional to its vacuum pressure. The transducer's microcontroller-based measuring electronics amplify and digitize the senor's signal, providing output via an I²C interface. The interface also allows users to store calibration data in the microcontroller, which is utilized by a built-in piecewise linearization algorithm to provide calibrated output.

To compensate for variations in thermal conductivity due to changes in ambient temperature, the PVC4000 features a temperature compensation algorithm, which takes its input from a built-in temperature sensor. In addition, a pulsed excitation scheme, in which the sensor chip is heated for about 100 ms and then turned off for one second, prevents signal drift due to self-heating, and also reduces the power consumption of the transducer.

The transducer released today is ideal for digital vacuum gauges. For these applications, the device combines low power consumption with extremely fast response times of >1.2 s and a wide effective range from 1 millitorr (0.13 Pa) to 1 atm (760 torr, or 101 kPa). Readers may contact Posifa to discuss options for customizing the transducer's specifications.

#Posifa #PAuto #OEM 

Air velocity sensors.

Users Can Combine Air Velocity Data With Existing Temperature Data for Unparalleled Insight Into Thermal Efficiency

The new PAV3000 series of economical, high-performance air velocity sensors with digital I2C output and a surface-mount footprint for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most space-constrained locations has been announced by Posifa Technologies. Unlike thermistor-based solutions, the PAV3000 has a MEMS sensor core that is minimally affected by ambient temperature changes and which provides instant real-time feedback on proper air flow at critical locations.


Air velocity data perfectly complements temperature information to provide the best insight into thermal efficiency. Because the PAV3000 helps identify areas that require unusually high air flow to maintain stable temperatures, layouts for rack enclosures with air cooling — such as those found in data centers — can be modified to reduce cooling demands for increased energy savings. In applications such as HVAC systems, air velocity measurements can be used to determine when filters need to be replaced. This ensures hardware is adequately protected during heavy use, and it allows customers with light usage requirements to benefit from extended change intervals.

PAV3000 series devices feature Posifa's third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow. The result is excellent repeatability of 1 % FS and accuracy of 5 % FS. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or the fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock.

Measuring air velocity at 7 m/s (PAV3005V) and 15 m/s (PAV3015V), the PAV3000 series devices offer extremely fast response times of 125 ms typical in a compact, robust package. The air velocity sensors feature a 12-bit digital output, 3.3 V supply voltage, and supply current of 13 mA.

#PAuto #Posifa

Thermopile vacuum sensors.

Posifa Technologies has introduced the PVC3000 series of MEMS thermopile vacuum sensors. Built on the proven performance of the company's leading Pirani devices, the next-generation sensors deliver a wider effective range from 1 millitorr (0.13 Pa) to 1 atm (760 torr, or 101 kPa) to eliminate the need for additional sensing technology and to lower overall solution costs.

The upper effective range of traditional Pirani vacuum sensors is capped at around 30 torr. To measure vacuum above this value, an additional piezoresistive or capacitive pressure sensor is required. With their wide effective range, the PVC3000 vacuum sensors released today can measure vacuum to 1 atm without the need for an additional pressure sensor, allowing designers to replace two components with one in vacuum gauges for HVAC and industrial applications.

For increased reliability, Posifa has also redesigned the microstructure of its sensors to make them more robust and more resistant to pressure shock and the effects of cleaning. The company has migrated to a CMOS production platform, resulting in improved repeatability, uniformity, and scalability.

Using a differential measurement setup (one sensor for reference and one for vacuum measurement), the PVC3000 series allows for automatic internal temperature compensation and eliminates other environmental factors that can cause sensors to drift. The result is excellent repeatability and long-term stability.

Available in TO5 (PVC3001) or TO46 (PVC3004) metal cans, the devices offer extremely fast response times of < 2 ms typical and operate over a -25 °C to +85 °C temperature range. Readers may contact Posifa to discuss options for customizing the sensors' specifications.

Samples and production quantities of the PVC3000 vacuum sensors are available now. An evaluation kit is also available for testing the devices.

#PAuto #Posifa

Mass air flow sensors.

Devices Allow Users to Create a Custom Flow Body Design While Reducing System Size, Increasing Reliability, and Establishing Proprietary Calibration Values

Posifa Technologies has announced its new PMF6000 series of mass air flow sensors for use in bypass assemblies. Featuring a manifold-mount design, the devices reduce system size and increase reliability while allowing users to establish proprietary calibration values.

Featuring compact robust packages, the PMF6000 series sensors were developed specifically for users wanting the flexibility of designing their own flow body and restrictor element. The devices' manifold-mount design eliminates the need for hoses and external connections, reducing the overall system size and the number of potential leak points.

By utilizing the linearized factory calibration provided by Posifa, users can create master calibration curves specific to their custom bypass design with minimal additional corrections in the production process. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, PMF6000 series sensors provide users with a competitive edge by allowing them to perform their own calibration and maintain the values within the company.

The devices feature Posifa's third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow. The result is excellent repeatability and accuracy of 4 % reading typical. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock.

Measuring flow rates at 1000 sccm (PMF6102) and 6000 sccm (PMF6106), the devices offer extremely fast response times of 5 ms typical and operate over a -25 °C to +85 °C temperature range. Please contact Posifa to discuss options for customizing the sensors' specifications.

#PosifaTech #PAuto

Air velocity & Tempearture sensor for thermal management.

Posifa Technologies has announced its new PAV1000 series of air velocity sensors for data centre thermal management and HVAC applications such as filter monitoring. Measuring air velocity at 7 m/s (PAV1005V) and 15 m/s (PAV1015V), the devices offer extremely fast response times of 125 ms typical in a compact, robust package.

 The PAV1000 series was designed as an economical, high-performance air velocity sensor for thermal management and filter monitoring in even the most space-constrained locations, such as rack enclosures with air cooling in data centers. Unlike thermistor-based solutions, the Posifa MEMS sensor core is minimally affected by ambient temperature changes and provides instant real-time feedback on proper air flow at critical locations.

Air velocity data perfectly complements temperature information to provide the best insight into thermal efficiency. By identifying areas that require unusually high air flow to maintain stable temperatures, layouts can be modified to reduce cooling demands for increased energy savings. In HVAC applications, air velocity measurements can be used to determine when filters need to be replaced. This ensures hardware is adequately protected during heavy use, while allowing customers with light usage requirements to benefit from extended change intervals.

The devices feature Posifa's third-generation thermal flow die, which uses a pair of thermopiles to detect changes in temperature gradient caused by mass flow. The result is excellent repeatability of 1 % FS and accuracy of 5 % FS. The solid-state thermal isolation structure on the sensor die eliminates the need for a surface cavity or fragile membrane used in competing technologies, making the sensor resistant to clogging and pressure shock.

The PAV1000 series offers an output voltage range from 0 VDC to 4.5 VDC, supply voltage from 5 VDC to 5.5 VDC, and supply current of 20 mA. The devices operate over a -25 °C to +85 °C temperature range.

#PosifaTech #DataCentres #HVAC