Next-Generation Miniature CO2 Sensor for Cost- and Space-Effective Design Integration

Published  May 4, 2021   0
SCD4x series CO2 Sensors

The SCD4x series from Sensirion is the next-generation miniature CO2 sensor that offers the smallest size combined with an unmatched price-to-performance ratio.  This tiny device is seven times smaller than its predecessor and comes with many more disruptive features.

The SCD4x series of CO2 sensors include the SCD40 and SCD41 CO2 sensors that are built on the photoacoustic sensing principle and the company’s PASens and CMOSens Technology. The SCD40 offers an accuracy of ±(50 ppm + 5% of reading) at 400–2000 ppm, while the SCD41 has an accuracy of ±(40 ppm + 5% of reading) at 400–5000ppm. The SCD41, featuring a low-power mode, is perfectly suited for applications with a limited power budget.

SMD compatibility and the small footprint of these devices allow cost- and space-effective integration to boost freedom of design for device manufacturers. These devices come with integrated best-in-class humidity and temperature sensor thereby enabling superior on-chip signal compensation and additional RH and T outputs. With the large supply voltage range (2.4 V–5.5 V), robustness to external stresses, and adjustable power consumption, the SCD4x sensors become ideally fit for varying customer needs.

The SCD40 and SCD41 sensor components are available worldwide through Sensirion’s distribution network. Besides, the SEK-SCD41-Sensor evaluation kit is also available from the company website.  

Marco Gysel, Product Manager CO2 Sensors at Sensirion said: “The ongoing pandemic has taught us the importance of indoor air quality. Thanks to its small size, cost-effective pricing, and easy assembly, the SCD4x makes CO2 sensing accessible to a new set of devices and applications. This will help us contain the pandemic and increase our well-being.”

Key Features of SCD4x series CO2 Sensors

  • Size: 10.1 x 10.1 x 6.5 mm3
  • Mounting Type: SMD
  • Interface: I2C CO2
  • Supply voltage range: 2.4 to 5.5 V
  • Current consumption: 17 mA (meas. rate = 5 s) 0.5 mA (meas. rate = 5 min)
  • On-Chip RH and T compensation
  • Output range: 0 to 40000 ppm