Integrated vacuum transducer is in a compact PCB assembly
Designed for cost-effective OEM integration, the PVC4100 MEMS Pirani vacuum transducer includes a MEMS Pirani sensor and microcontroller-based measuring
electronics, packaged in a compact PCB assembly with a connector-terminated wire harness.
The PVC4100’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 digitise the senor’s signal, providing output via an I²C interface. To compensate for variations in thermal conductivity due to changes in ambient temperature, the device features a temperature-compensation algorithm, which takes its input from a built-in temperature sensor.
The PVC4100 is suitable for digital vacuum gauges and leak detection in closed systems maintained under primary vacuum pumps, such as vacuum-insulated panels. The transducer combines low power consumption with fast response times of 250milliseconds and a wide effective range from 0.1 millitorr (0.013 Pa) to 1.0 atm (760 torr, or 101 kPa), with accuracy of 15 per cent from 1.0 millitorr to 200,000 millitorr.
Samples and production quantities of the PVC4100 are available now and may be ordered directly from Posifa’s authorised distributors. There are options to customise the transducer’s specifications, said Posifa.
Posifa Technologies, formerly known as Posifa Microsystems, designs and manufactures inexpensive sensor and sensing solutions, including gas and liquid flow sensors, air velocity sensors and vacuum sensors.
The company’s products are designed to meet the needs of demanding applications in consumer electronics, HVAC, medical devices and data centres.
Posifa is headquartered in San Jose, California with an office in Shenzen, China. It has a worldwide customer base through direct sales and a network of distributors in the United States, Europe, Korea, and Taiwan.
