Omron, ST to sample MEMS-based gas flow sensor

PARIS – Omron Corp. and STMicroelectronics said they have developed a MEMS-based gas flow sensor with built-in correction for differences in gas composition.

Annual revenues from the smart gas meter market are expected to exceed $1 billion by 2016, approximately four times the 2011 market estimate, according to IMS Research. Growth is is being driven by the emergence of new markets for advanced gas meters in Europe and Asia.

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The new gas flow sensor combines Omron's MEMS thermal flow transducer with ST's analog front-end IC.

Omron and ST said gas meters based on their technology need not be configured for a specific type of gas when shipped or installed. Both temperature and pressure variations are compensated for with a built-in circuit that senses multiple gas composition. The dust resistant sensor complies with international gas meter standards.

Omron said it expects to start sampling the gas flow sensor in November 2012.


Device specifications

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