Bosch Sensortec has introduced a new barometric pressure sensor for wearables that is resistant against liquids.
The BMP384 sensor is a robust sensor that can be used in wearables, home appliances and industrial applications using a special gel to protect it against ingression of mainly water but also other liquids such as salt water, rain, sweat and sunscreen.
Ideally suited for smartwatches and fitness trackers in activities such as swimming and running. But it could also be used in home appliances such as water level detection in washing machines for ensuring accurate water volume measurement and flooding prevention. It could also be used in cases such as clog detection in vacuum cleaners.
"Bosch has applied its many years of experience in creating reliable sensors for harsh environments into the design of the BMP384," said Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO at Bosch Sensortec. "Until now, engineers have faced significant challenges when designing barometric pressure sensors into applications involving water or other contaminants, frequently seeing performance degradation over the final product's lifetime. This new sensor makes design simpler and provides peace of mind."
The BMP384 sensor has a relative accuracy of +/- 9 Pa, an absolute accuracy of +/- 50 Pa, and a temperature coefficient offset (TCO) of +/- 1.0 Pa/K. The sensor has a power consumption of just 3.2 mA at 1 Hz data rate, meaning the sensor will not drain the batteries of portable devices.
