Compact Si7005 Sensor IC Reduces System Cost and Complexity in
Applications That Monitor and Control Humidity and Temperature
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today introduced a digital relative
humidity (RH) and temperature "sensor-on-a-chip" solution. The new
Si7005 sensor advances the state of the art in RH sensing by combining a
mixed-signal IC manufactured on standard CMOS with a proven technique of
measuring humidity using a polymer dielectric film. The Si7005 sensor is
ideal for applications that monitor or control humidity and temperature
including automotive climate control and defogging, HVAC, refrigeration,
weather stations, food processing, printers, asset tracking, and medical
instruments such as nebulizers, oxygen concentrators and respiratory
therapy equipment.
Traditional approaches to RH sensing use discrete resistive and
capacitive sensors, hybrids and multi-chip modules (MCMs). These legacy
approaches suffer from high bill of materials (BOM) cost and component
count, large footprints, manufacturing challenges and the need for
labor-intensive customer calibration. In contrast, the single-chip
Si7005 humidity sensor is smaller, more reliable, and much easier to
design in and use than traditional discrete/module solutions.
The Si7005 humidity sensor is a "plug-and-play," factory-calibrated RH
and temperature sensing solution. The device's digital output and
factory calibration frees the developer from having to calibrate the
sensor and also makes Si7005 sensors completely interchangeable. No
software/firmware update or recalibration effort is required to change
from one sensing unit to another. The customer spends no time or labor
on the manufacturing line adjusting each unit, which eases production,
rework and field servicing. The Si7005 sensor's compact QFN package
supports tape-and-reel packaging, automated pick-and-place PCB
manufacturing and conventional soldering processes, further helping OEMs
reduce manufacturing costs.
The Si7005 sensor uses state-of-the-art sensing technologies to enable
precise monolithic humidity and temperature sensing. Temperature is
sensed by a precision bandgap referenced circuit on the die. Humidity is
sensed by measuring the capacitance change of an industry-standard low-k
dielectric layer applied to the surface of the die. Both temperature and
humidity are precisely measured in very close proximity on the same
monolithic device, providing exceptional measurement accuracy. The
Si7005 device is also the lowest power RH sensor of its kind, consuming
only 2 µA on average at one measurement per minute, which makes it ideal
for battery-powered applications.
The entire BOM for the Si7005 RH sensor solution is just two bypass
capacitors versus the dozens of components often required to implement
the same functionality with a discrete solution. The Si7005 device
integrates sensing elements, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC),
signal processing, non-volatile memory for calibration data and an I2C
interface in a monolithic CMOS IC. This high level of single-chip
integration makes the sensor rugged and reliable, reduces cost and
development time, and simplifies board design.
Silicon Labs has also developed an innovative solution to address the
vulnerabilities to damage and contamination encountered by traditional
sensors. The Si7005 device is available with an optional,
factory-installed, low-profile protective cover that protects the sensor
from liquids and particulates before, during and after assembly, and
throughout the end product's entire lifetime. This innovative filter
eliminates material and labor costs associated with competing sensor
solutions, and it has no impact on measurement sensitivity.
"The Si7005 humidity sensor offers an unmatched combination of
ease-of-use, reliability, small size, low power and compatibility with
standard manufacturing flows," said Mark Thompson, vice president and
general manager of Silicon Labs' Access, Power and Sensor products. "The
Si7005 is the only single-chip digital humidity/temperature sensor
available from a diversified semiconductor supplier. Silicon Labs offers
a broad portfolio of complementary mixed-signal IC products, from
low-power microcontrollers to wireless transceivers, to enable
comprehensive solutions for wireless sensor nodes and other applications
for the Internet of Things."
The Si7005 humidity sensor is the newest member of Silicon Labs' growing
portfolio of sensor products, which includes capacitive touch sensors,
proximity and ambient light sensors, MCU-based temperature sensors,
isolated ac current sensors and high-side dc current sensors.
Pricing and Availability
Volume production quantities of Silicon Labs' Si7005 humidity and
temperature sensor are available now in a 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package.
Product pricing for the Si7005 sensor in 10,000-unit quantities begins
at $3.64 (USD).
The Si7005USB-DONGLE USB-based evaluation board, priced at $49,
simplifies Si7005 sensor evaluation. The Si7005-EVB daughter card,
priced at $29, includes a flex-cable that enables developers to evaluate
the Si7005 in a temperature or humidity chamber. The Si7005EVB-UDP
plug-in card for Silicon Labs' Unified Development Platform is priced at
$49. The Si7005EVB-UDP-F960 development kit, priced at $149, combines an
ultra-low-power C8051F960 MCU development kit with a UDP daughter card
into a portable demonstration platform (no PC required) that includes
data logger demonstration code. Software drivers are available for Linux
and Android platforms. (All board prices are in USD MSRP.)
For additional Si7005 sensor product information, samples and
development tools, please visit www.silabs.com/humidity-sensor.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal
design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of patented semiconductor
solutions offers customers significant advantages in performance, size
and power consumption. For more information about Silicon Labs, please
visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual results
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S" symbol, the
Silicon Laboratories logo and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of
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Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com
Source: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
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