Infrared sensors to improve the presence and movement detection of building automation

     STMicroelectronics, the world's leading semiconductor company serving multiple electronic applications, has announced a new human presence and movement detection chip that improves the monitoring performance of traditional security surveillance systems, home automation devices and iot devices using passive infrared (PIR) sensing technology.

     Traditional PIR sensors produce a measurable response signal only when the object being detected is moving. The STHS34PF80 sensor has built-in thermal transistors, so it can detect stationary objects. In addition, PIR sensors need Fresnel lenses to sense moving objects, while ST's new detector uses a simpler lensless structure.

     Simone Ferri, General Manager, MEMS Sub-Product Division, STMicroelectronics AMS, said: "Today's smart homes, smart buildings and iot require accurate human presence detection capabilities to enhance the control of lighting, heating, security, safety monitoring and other systems for a sustainable future. ST's new STHS34PF80 is an affordable ultra-low-power sensor that ensures that building automation systems operate consistently and without interference, regardless of whether the person being detected is moving within the building. In addition, the new product innovatively integrates CMOS chip manufacturing processes, silicon microfabrication technology and low-voltage circuit design capabilities."

     STHS34PF80 is embedded with intelligent algorithms for human presence and movement detection, targeting applications such as alarm security systems, home automation, smart lighting, iot devices, smart lockers and smart video intercom systems. The lens-free four-meter detection range and 80° field of view Angle cover most of the area in front of the sensor. The operating current is 10µA, the power consumption is lower than traditional PIR, and the 3.2mm x 4.2mm x 1.455mm mount package is compact and suitable for high-speed assembly in automated production lines. The sensor is highly resistant to direct light interference and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

     The sensor evaluation board STEVAL-MKI231KA from ST simplifies the test development process of STHS34PF80. By plugging the board into the X-NUCLEO-IKS01A3 or STEVAL-MKI109V3 motherboard, developers can configure the infrared sensor using ST's Unico-GUI graphical interface software to begin a simplified measurement process. Drivers for STHS34PF80 can be found on GitHub. In addition, there is a ready-made software library in the X-CUBE-MEMS1 package for compensating and detecting the presence of people or objects. Users can quickly run a simple app, measure with STHS34PF80, test the results, and then start creating a new app.