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Photoacoustic sensors, or PASs, are a type of sensing technology used to detect and measure the presence of various substances in a given environment. PASs employ a combination of light and sound to detect and measure the presence of different substances.
A light source, such as a laser, is used to irradiate the substance being measured, which then absorbs the light energy and converts it into heat.
This causes thermal expansion of the substance, which in turn generates an acoustic wave. This acoustic wave is then detected by a microphone, which is used to measure the level of the substance in the environment.
PASs have a variety of applications in industries such as medical imaging, gas detection, and environmental monitoring. In medical imaging, for example, PASs can be used to detect the presence of cancerous tumors.
In gas detection, PASs can be used to measure the concentration of toxic gases in the environment. In environmental monitoring, PASs can be used to detect the presence of pollutants or other hazardous substances.
PASs offer several advantages over other types of sensors. They are non-invasive, meaning they do not require direct contact with the substance being measured. They also offer high sensitivity, meaning that they can detect and measure substances at very small concentrations.
PASs are also highly selective, meaning they can detect and measure a specific substance in the presence of other substances. Finally, PASs are relatively low-cost, making them a cost-effective choice for many applications.
Overall, PASs offer a range of benefits for a variety of applications. They are non-invasive, highly sensitive, selective, and low-cost, making them a versatile and cost-effective sensing technology.
The Global Photoacoustic sensor market accounted for $XX Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2023 to 2030.
A new high-accuracy photoacoustic carbon dioxide sensor based on the Infineon XENSIV PASCO2V01, as well as two new motion and human presence sensors based on the STMicroelectronics STHS34PF80 black-body radiation sensor, have been introduced by SparkFun.
The most recent environmental sensor board from the company, the SparkFun Qwiic Photoacoustic Spectroscopy CO2 Sensor, measures CO2 molecule concentration “with a combination of narrow-band filtered IR [infrared] light and audio.” It does this by using Infineon’s PASCO2V01 sensor to give it extremely accurate CO2 data.
The Infineon XENSIV PASCO2V01 photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor performs an unusual method of operation, as its name suggests. It emits infrared light and tracks minute noises produced as the light interacts with carbon dioxide in the air, rather than using an optical method to measure the effect of the gas it passes through.
By placing Infineon’s module on a bigger breakout board, SparkFun’s implementation of the sensor allows for the output of I2C, UART, and pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals on empty 0.1″ pin connectors. As two are already on the board, integrating it into an existing Qwiic-based project is much simpler. Of course, there is also the option to use a solderless Qwiic connector.
The sensor itself has a maximum measurement capacity of 32,000 parts per million (PPM) for carbon dioxide, and its peak accuracy is rated at ±30 PPM plus three percent of the reading, with a range of 400 to 5,000 PPM.
That number is subject to a qualification, though: the gadget requires a week-long calibration period, which includes at least 30 minutes of vigorous outdoor assessments. Concurrently, SparkFun has introduced a pair of novel motion and human presence sensors, both built on the STMicro STHS34PF80 black-body radiation sensor.
The floating vacuum thermal transistor (MOS) matrix that makes up the sensor is divided into two sections: one is insulated from infrared radiation and the other is exposed to it.