Gas Sensing Solutions showcased what it believes is the world's lowest power CO² gas sensor in Frankfurt at ISH 2011. The COZIR sensor is enabled EnOcean's self-powered wireless technology. It uses the latter's energy harvesting technology in which the sensor draws ambient energy from motion, light or temperature differences in its surroundings. Using available room light to power the CO² sensor, three readings are taken every 10 minutes and the values are sent wirelessly to a receiver. The receiver can set, for example, an alarm to open a ventilation system. When no room light is available the sensor operates in energy storage mode, taking fewer measurements or only sending signals when critical values are measured. The sensor incorporates a NDIR (non-dispersive infra-red) configuration based on the semiconductor company's patented technology, combined with low loss compact injection moulded optics and low noise electronics. It consumes only 3.3mW in continuous operation, with two CO² measurement/s, which is typically 50 times lower power than standard NDIR sensors, says the company. The sensor is available in three ranges: 0 to 2000ppm, 0 to 1% or 0 to 2%. Benefits of the low power consumption are an average current of less than 1.1mA and an operating voltage of 3.3V. The warm up time for the sensor is less than 2s. The sensor is compatible with EnOcean's standard wireless communications.
