Vacuum transducer for cost-effective OEM integration

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 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 transducer is ideal for digital vacuum gauges and leak detection in closed systems maintained under primary vacuum pumps, such as vacuum-insulated panels.

For these applications, the device combines low power consumption with extremely fast response times of 250 ms and a wide effective range from 0.1 millitorr (0.013 Pa) to 1 atm (760 torr, or 101 kPa), with accuracy of 15 % from 1 millitorr to 200,000 millitorr. Readers may contact Posifa to discuss options for customising the transducer's specifications.

Samples and production quantities of the PVC4100 are available now and may be ordered directly from Posifa's authorized distributors.