Sensor monitors absolute and gauge pressure

Alps Electric's HSPP piezoresistive pressure sensor allows portable navigation devices to monitor road elevation.

Alps Electric has released the HSPP small and compact, high-resolution, piezoresistive pressure sensor for detecting absolute pressure and gauge pressure.

Portable navigation devices (PNDs) are becoming smaller and their navigation functions are becoming more accurate with the addition of the ability to detect differences in road elevation.

As a result, PND substrates have become smaller and the number of parts contained in navigation systems has increased.

The reduction in mounting space has necessitated the miniaturisation of individual parts.

In the case of gauge pressure detection, the sensor has a variety of applications and combines a pressure feed port and terminals.

The sensor detects pressure by reading the electrical signals that result from changes in electrical resistance generated when external pressure causes the diaphragm to flex and distorts the piezoresistive element formed on the diaphragm.

In addition, optimising the digital circuit and temperature correction circuit has enabled the sensor to perform high-resolution detection at pressure intervals of 0.01kPa.

In a PND, the sensor minutely detects changes in barometric pressure and assists in the detection of high and low road elevations and differences in altitude when climbing mountains.

The product can be used in a wide range of products, including portable devices and large home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines.) that require high-resolution pressure detection.

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