Panasonic releases 2nd gen Grid-EYE infrared array sensors

For all Grid-EYE 2nd gen models the detection distance has improved from 5 to 7m. It is important to note that the 2nd gen Grid-EYE sensors are fully compatible with the existing 1st gen designs. This means that the engineers can now get improved and accurate results when they use the sensor in their applications. Panasonic is committed to improve the customer experience and provide much more application benefits with the improved MEMS technology.

Based on Panasonic’s MEMS technology, the Grid-EYE 2nd gen infrared array sensors combine a more sensitive MEMS sensor chip, a digital ASIC (I2C interface) and a silicon lens in the same small package. The parts feature 64 thermopile elements in an 8x8 grid format that detect absolute surface temperature without any contact. Unlike conventional sensors, Grid-EYE uses a patented 60° silicon lens etched out of a silicon wafer, which is (with less than 0.3mm height) the smallest available lens in the market. The combination of these technologies allows for a sensor package size of only 11.6x8x4.3mm, which is around 70% smaller in size than competitor products.

Compared to single element thermopile sensors and pyroelectric sensors, the Grid-EYE 2nd gen can not only detect moving and motionless people and objects but does that in comparison to its predecessor models with higher precision and higher accuracy.