Renesas Electronics introduces the ultra-low power ZMOD4510 outdoor air quality sensor platform

     Renesas Electronics has expanded its popular ZMOD4510 Outdoor Air Quality (OAQ) gas sensor platform with the new enhanced ZMOD4510 in an IP67-compliant waterproof package and a new AI-based algorithm that enables ultra-low-power selectable ozone monitoring. The enhanced ZMOD4510 is the industry's first university-wide, semi-miniature digital OAQ sensor solution with selectable ozone monitoring, providing users with real-time visibility of air quality in their environment for a personalized experience.

     Ozone is one of the important causes of poor outdoor air quality and health hazards. Based on Renesas' new ultra-low power firmware, the enhanced ZMOD4510 detects specific ozone levels while ignoring other pollutants, while keeping power consumption below 200uW. This selectable measurement feature allows devices such as smartwatches, mobile phones and smoke detectors to monitor harmful ozone gases normally found outdoors - which can drift indoors through open doors and Windows. The extremely low power consumption achieved by the optimized ZMOD4510 is the key to achieving longer battery life for such battery-powered devices.

     Uwe Guenther, Senior Director, Sensor Solutions, Renesas Electronics iot and Infrastructure Business Unit, said: "Outdoor air quality measurement is primarily about location - air quality levels can vary greatly from street to street and even on both sides of the same street. "The enhanced ZMOD4510 provides manufacturers with the selective high-precision sensing, ultra-small size, and long battery life required for battery-powered devices such as smartwatches and mobile phones, as well as providing customers with a convenient and customized real-time view of the air quality environment."

     Renesas' unique software-configurable ZMOD platform provides design flexibility for smart sensing systems, allowing for field firmware updates for new application-specific features such as selectable ozone detection. The ZMOD4510 quantifies selected ozone levels at concentrations as low as 20ppb (20 parts per billion); Combined with features such as low power consumption, small size and excellent flexibility, it is an ideal solution for mobile and wearable devices, as well as industrial applications such as wireless security cameras and parking meters.

     The new waterproof package enables the sensor to operate in harsh environments and underwater. IP67 rated sensors maintain excellent accuracy and high performance without the need for expensive waterproofing systems. And all of this is contained in a tiny 3mm x 3mm x 0.9mm LGA package. The sensor's hydrophobic and oleophobic package is fully calibrated at the factory, allowing customers to apply conformal coatings to their circuits without adding an external film to the module.

     Renesas has identified and created a "Portfolio of successful products" system architecture for various applications, with the ZMOD4510 series adding differentiated value to the system; For example, a successful product portfolio for smart lighting, "Building Automation Lighting and Air Quality Sensor Solutions," demonstrates building automation applications. The ZMOD4510 sensor also adds a new dimension to wearable devices such as smartwatches. Renesas' successful portfolio consists of devices that work seamlessly together and are compatible with each other as proven solutions designed to help customers accelerate design and get to market faster.