Flow meter reference design boosts accuracy

Maxim claims the solid-state meter is 10x more accurate that mechanical meters, and 4x more accurate than competitive ultrasonic solutions. Measuring as little as 0.5 litres of water per minute with better than 1% accuracy, its fast ultrasonic pulses can be customised to the pulse frequencies required by flow conditions. It can detect even minor leaks that the mechanical meters will never find.

With no moving parts, the MAXREFDES70# flow meter is highly resistant to contaminants, subject to less wear, and requires virtually no maintenance. It features no compromises, as it maximizes uptime and provides the most accurate data possible. In this era when natural resource consumption must be carefully managed, this complete, ready-to-use flow meter reference design lets utilities and other industrial flow-measurement applications get to market quickly with the necessary accuracy and precision.

At the heart of the reference design is the new MAX35101, a complete time- to-digital converter with analogue front-end (AFE) that measures the difference of upstream and downstream ultrasonic pulses. Supporting flow measurement at low rates (< 30 l/hr), the device offers a time-to-digital conversion accuracy of 20ps.

The reference design is easy to implement. Free schematics, layout files, and firmware are available for immediate use and customisation. An evaluation (EV) kit with the MAXREDFED70# board, transducers, and USB interface is available with evaluation software.

“With climate change concerns, pervasive droughts, and high energy prices, nearly everyone is looking for ways to conserve resources and cut costs,” said Christine Hertzog, Managing Director at Smart Grid Library. “Accurately measuring water use is a step in the right direction to intelligently manage consumption and start making water systems truly Smart Infrastructure.”