Renesas uses artificial intelligence odor sensing technology to upgrade the ZMOD4410 indoor air quality monitoring platform

     Renesas Electronics announced that it has expanded its popular ZMOD4410 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) sensor platform by using embedded artificial intelligence (e-AI) technology to enable intelligent trace odor sensing in ventilation systems, bathrooms and other scenarios that require air quality monitoring.

     The upgrade platform integrates neural network trained firmware in a variety of microcontrollers (MCUS), such as the RL78, to provide higher resolution inspection results. With these new features, the ZMOD4410 platform is not only able to detect odorous gases in small enclosed Spaces with higher accuracy and smaller deviations between components, but can also distinguish between sulfur and ethanol-based odors. These updates are the first in Renesas' family of e-AI based firmware solutions.

     Uwe Guenther, Senior Director, Sensor Solutions, Renesas Electronics iot and Infrastructure Business Unit, said: "The IAQ market has a growing demand for higher accuracy, better performance, and greater flexibility to meet niche applications, and at the same time, consistency between components has become a customer priority. Our multi-dimensional sensor technology applies AI-based capabilities to intelligent sensing, making the updated ZMOD4410 platform more precise and selective, providing customers with the high-precision, flexible options needed for customized ventilation and odor monitoring systems, and creating a more comfortable environment for consumers."

     Renesas Electronics' unique software-configurable ZMOD platform brings greater design flexibility to smart sensing systems and supports field firmware updates, enabling new application-specific capabilities such as selective detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The new firmware update brings IAQ measurements in line with international standards, enabling customers to detect TVOC and IAQ in the ppm concentration range; Greater accuracy and consistency also improves carbon dioxide (eCO2) estimates. The ZMOD4410 AI firmware is integrated into Renesas RL78 MCUS and can be integrated into any Renesas MCU product, including RE, RA, RX or other general purpose MCUS.

     The ZMOD4410's programmability, high stability and high sensitivity for VOC measurement make it an excellent solution for a wide range of IAQ applications, including intelligent HVAC systems, ventilator fans, bathroom lighting and switches. The ZMOD4410 is based on proven metal oxide (MOx) materials, and each sensor is electrically and chemically tested to ensure batch to batch consistency, an important advantage for manufacturers with long production cycles. The ZMOD4410 is also highly resistant to siloxanes, providing extremely high reliability in harsh application environments.