A new milestone for the industry with thermal sensor arrays that operate at higher temperatures

     Melexis has announced the launch of a new version of its far-infrared (FIR) thermal sensor array, the MLX90641. Compared to the current version of the MLX90640, the new device has significantly reduced thermal noise, an increased refresh rate of 64 Hz, and an upper operating temperature of 125°C. The latest sensing technology makes it easier to integrate temperature measurement functions into applications, especially in harsh thermal conditions, with greater safety, efficiency and convenience.

     The new MLX90641 is a small 16 x 12 pixel IR array in an industry-standard 4-pin TO39 package, capable of accurately measuring temperatures between -40°C and +300°C. The device has been calibrated before leaving the factory to achieve 1°C accuracy under typical measurement conditions. Its noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) is only 0.1K RMS, enabling higher accuracy requirements. Two different viewing angles (FoV) are available: standard 55° x 35° and 110° x 75° wide Angle. Powered by a single 3.3V power supply, the device stores all results in internal RAM for easy access via an I2C-compatible digital interface. Proprietary algorithms ensure a high degree of thermal stability even under conditions of dramatic temperature changes.

     The MLX90641 has 192 FIR pixels, and the use of a weaker processor is also stress-free, effectively reducing the system overhead. In addition, the device does not need to be recalibrated, further reducing operating expenses. To accelerate application development, Melexis provides MCU driver software through the github.com platform, as well as an additional software for thermal profiling of people.

     The extended temperature range opens up a variety of new application areas, and the new MLX90641 will be particularly suitable for cooking appliance applications such as traditional ovens and microwave ovens, as well as industrial applications such as power electronics overheating detection and automotive. Speaking about the new product launch, Joris Roels, Melexis Marketing Manager for temperature sensors, said: "Compared to previous devices, this new device has a wider temperature range, greater thermal stability and a wider range of applications. Thanks to this new technology, we are able to meet our customers' demands for accurate temperature sensing, even in more challenging thermal conditions."