PyrIQ – Digital Detectors for Easy System Integration
Go Digital: Reaching the Goal More Quickly with Less Effort
We are introducing: our digital detector for easy system integration with variable signal processing and improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Like all detectors from InfraTec, it is based on single-crystal lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) and is used in gas analysis and flame detection. In contrast to other materials, LiTaO3 offers high sensitivity and a good signal-to-noise ratio without additional cooling or temperature stabilisation.
The digital detector is ideal for simple system integration in gas analysis and flame detection. By using the digital detector, the user receives a digital measurement signal that can be read out and immediately processed.
For high-precision measurement, especially in gas analysis, synchronisation of the emitter and detector clock is necessary. For the digital pyroelectric detectors, a clock input (pin) is available for this purpose, which is used to specify the system clock or the exact sample time. This allows a time signal with a highly precise sampling rate to be generated. Another special feature compared to analogue technology of our digital detector is the “Fast Recovery after Saturation”. This function detects overdriving due to a faulty operating condition – for example, due to extreme temperature fluctuations or mechanical influences – and automatically resets the analogue front-end.
The digital detector converts the analogue signal, which can be filtered and amplified in several stages, directly into a digital signal with a 16-bit resolution. The entire signal processing is carried out by an ASIC (Application- Specific Integrated Circuit), whereby the analogue front-end acts like a classic transimpedance amplifier. Thus, users receive a digital measurement signal that can be read out via an I²C interface and immediately processed.
Startup a Detector with Digital Interface
This white paper is intended to show how to put the digital detector into operation with a basic microcontroller board like the Arduino Uno. You will also learn how to configure the detector and retrieve data.
infratec_whitepaper_startup-a-digital-detector.pdf
Digital Pyroelectric Detectors – What are the Advantages?
Analogue vs. Digital – Which Detector for which Application?
Analogue pyroelectric detectors have proven their worth for decades. Their integration into the device design can be made flexible but requires a high degree of electronic skill. The performance of the detectors can be fully utilised. Considering the effort required for system integration, digital pyroelectric detectors have clear advantages. The functions already integrated into the detector – although limiting the scope for design – significantly reduce the effort required for system integration. The following table provides a quick overview of advantages and disadvantages:
| | Digital pyroelectric detectors | Analogue pyroelectric detectors |
| Detector series | LRD, LID | LIE, LME, LIM, LMM, LRM |
| Properties | Detectors with integrated ASIC for transimpedance amplification, 16-bit A/D conversion and signal conditioning | Maximum flexibility for system integration by the user (free choice of external A/D converter and interface) |
| Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) | ++ | + |
| Integrated temperature measurement | Yes | Yes (available for LRM) |
| Flexible adjustment of feedback components | Yes (Rf = 2 GΩ … 1 TΩ; Cf = 50 fF … 6.4 pF) | No |
| Requirements for system integration on the device side | Low | High |
| Power consumption (typical) | 1 mW | 0.1 mW |
| Signal to noise ratio | + | Current mode ++ / Voltage mode +++ |
| Sampling rate (maximum) | 1 kHz | Free to select |
| Max. Modulation Frequency | 100 Hz | 4 kHz |
| Supply voltage | 1.8 … 3.6 V | Up to ± 5V |
Configuration of PyrIQ Detectors
This white paper is intended to help you find a suitable PyrIQ-configuration for your application by following a “good practice”-strategy as well as stating the effects and potential drawbacks for all available PyrIQ-parameters.
infratec_whitepaper_configuration_pyriq.pdf
![Digital pyroelectric detector from InfraTec - Picure credits: © istockphoto / gsshot]( "Digital pyroelectric detector from InfraTec")
Go Digital – Reaching the Goal More Quickly with Less Effort
InfraTec has been developing and producing pyroelectric detectors for over 30 years now. They have been tried and proven for numerous demanding customer applications in recent decades. However, to reduce the expenditure for customers and to facilitate the system integration of a detector, InfraTec has developed the digital pyroelectric detector (LRD).
Download Flyer
Download the flyer about the digital detectors and learn more about the possibilities using a digital detector.
Various Fields of Application for PyrIQ Detectors
Digital detectors are just as suitable for the use in gas analysis and flame sensing as detectors with analogue signal output. But especially if the environmental conditions require a compact and easy-to-integrate detector, a detector with integrated digitisation will be a good choice. Thus, among other things, the digital version is suitable for the field of air-conditioning and building technology when it comes to measuring air quality. Since this correlates well with the carbon dioxide concentration in the air, the CO2 content of the room air is used for demand-controlled ventilation control in buildings and rooms. The CO2 concentration is measured according to the principle of non-dispersive infrared measurement technology. For this purpose, suitable IR filters are integrated into the detector in order to be able to make an accurate and reproducible measurement. This ensures good air quality at all times. In this context, the compactness of the detector, which results from the integration of the entire signal pre-processing, is an advantage. Another benefit is the low sensitivity of the digital output signal to interference caused by mobile phone networks, Bluetooth or wi-fi. In flame sensor technology, pyroelectric detectors capture spectral ranges that are characteristic for burning organic substances such as wood, natural gas, petrol and various plastics. Flame sensors are used in the fields of industrial fire protection and early fire detection and withstand even the most adverse environmental conditions. Due to the low interference sensitivity of the digital detector, the risk of false alarms caused by electromagnetic interference sources is significantly reduced.
Further Possible Applications for the Digital Detector:
- Agricultural industry, for example for monitoring the atmosphere in greenhouses and in research projects on plants
- Gas detectors for explosive gases, for example for mining or drilling platforms
- Process gas analysis, for example for measuring exhaust gases in industrial plants
Detector Search
InfraTec offers five different product groups including approximately 50 standard pyroelectric detectors. Choose your suitable infrared detectors with the help of our detailed detector search.
