Renesas Electronics has revealed a cutting-edge all-in-one sensor module designed for monitoring indoor air quality. The RRH62000, Renesas’ first multi-sensor air quality module, integrates various sensor parameters in a compact form, accurately detecting particles of different sizes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and harmful gases.
With an integrated Renesas microcontroller (MCU), this module offers an intelligent solution for the expanding market of air monitoring applications, including air purifiers, smoke detectors, HVAC systems, weather stations, and smart home systems. Its robust firmware ensures that products incorporating this module can meet global air quality standards.
The RRH62000 boasts one of the smallest footprints in its category, measuring just 46.6 x 34.8 x 12 mm. It combines the Renesas RA Family MCU with seven sensor signals, including a laser-based PM1/2.5/10 sensor, the ZMOD4410 gas sensor, and the HS4003 humidity and temperature sensor. This combination allows the module to detect particulate matter, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), estimated CO2, temperature, and humidity, all within a single system. All key components are pre-integrated and fully calibrated at the factory, enabling developers to begin their sensor system designs immediately.
“Our RRH62000 module represents the next step in sensor fusion technology, which combines data from multiple sensors and turns it into comprehensive and actionable insights for environmental monitoring,” said Uwe Guenther, Senior Director, Modules and Solutions Product Line at Renesas. “We are dedicated to providing integrated sensing solutions that simplify development for customers and will continue to drive innovation in sustainable products that reduce environmental impact and enhance safety and comfort in our lives.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, public awareness of air quality and its impact on health has grown considerably. Many people are now more conscious of how air pollutants can affect respiratory health and overall well-being. Less widely known is that indoor pollutants are typically six to ten times more concentrated than those outdoors. These pollutants, including dust, paint fumes, cooking smoke, pollen, and particulates from HVAC filters, can enter the respiratory system, leading to health issues.
To address these challenges, Renesas’ new sensor module is equipped to monitor a wide range of air quality conditions. Using laser-based technology, which offers greater precision than traditional LED methods, it can measure concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 particulates—particles ranging from 0.3 to 10 micrometres in diameter—as well as provide absolute or relative TVOC measurements in various power modes, ensuring the highest accuracy for these pollutants. The RRH62000 delivers seven sensor outputs simultaneously, with its onboard MCU enabling real-time detection of surrounding air quality data.
The RRH62000 module includes standard firmware and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, allowing engineers to configure the sensors to meet the requirements of various green air quality standards in public buildings, such as The Well Building Standard (WELL), Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), and RESET. For example, a school in China could use the same hardware as one in the United States or elsewhere, simply updating the AI-enabled firmware to suit its specific needs.
Intelligent sensor devices like the Renesas RRH62000 and the recently announced RRH46410 gas sensor module can support demand-controlled ventilation, enabling HVAC systems to adjust airflow based on carbon dioxide levels and occupancy data to maintain optimal air quality and energy efficiency. Additionally, these modules use AI algorithms to predict when HVAC filters need replacing or to detect anomalies before system failures occur, significantly reducing maintenance costs and time.
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