Prototype Kit accelerates gas measurement device development.

Press Release Summary:

As plug-and-play tool, Sensor Prototype Kit accelerates prototyping, validation, and product development for gas measurement instruments by allowing engineers to focus on challenges of system design. Kit validates detector viability and supporting PbS and PbSe detector technologies. Solution includes as standard 2 digital drive boards with integrated electronics, one 1- to 4-element detector, one PIREPlus emitter, and developer's software.

Original Press Release:

New Plug-and-Play Sensor Prototype Kit from Cal Sensors Significantly Speeds Time-to-Market for Gas Analysis Tool Development

Innovative Sensor Development Kit contains emitter, detector, digital drive board with integrated electronics and software SANTA ROSA, CA -Cal Sensors (www.calsensors.com) announces the global launch of a new Sensor Prototype Kit, a plug-and-play tool deigned to dramatically accelerate prototyping, validation and product development for new gas measurement instruments. Supporting PbS and PbSe detector technologies, the Sensor Prototype Kit speeds time--to-market by allowing engineers to focus on the challenges of the system's design by quickly validating detector viability. The new Sensor Prototype Kit is well-suited for the development of gas analysis tools in a wide variety of applications including industrial and medical gas analysis, auto and aviation emissions testing, environmental applications such as stack monitoring, greenhouse gas analysis and overseeing air quality in confined spaces including tunnels and underground structures. The kit consists of two digital drive boards with integrated electronics, a one to four element detector, a PIREPlus emitter and developer´s software. Engineers have the option of buying the complete prototyping kit or a subset of the kit. Digital drive boards with integrated electronics The Sensor Prototype Kit contains two digital drive boards with integrated electronics. Each board contains all the circuitry needed to drive the detector and emitter respectively and provides the analog to digital conversion necessary for computer control and analysis. Detector technology The Sensor Prototype Kit also contains a PbS or PbSe single-channel detector (SCD) or multi-channel detector (MCD). The Cal Sensors SCD and standard MCD provide market-leading sensitivity across the one to five micron range. The MCD product family allows for the detection of up to four distinct materials/gases and provides exceptional channel isolation (>99.5%) and a compact TO-5 or TO-8 footprint with superior quality and reliability The four channel configuration offers significant opportunities for cost reduction and design simplification minimizing the need for multiple individual detectors and complex optics. System costs and footprints can be reduced up to 60% versus alternative single-detector designs. Though highly customizable for different applications across the one to five micron infrared spectrum, the MCD is available in a standard four-channel configuration with four discrete optical bandpass filters. This configuration supports CO, CO2 , and hydro-carbon (such as methane) gas analysis. Customers also have the choice of specifying custom filters in their Sensor Prototype Kit to meet specific application requirements. PIREPlus emitter The standard emitter in the Sensor Prototype Kit is the PIREPlus high-output, high-pulse rate emitter. The PIREPlus can be pulsed as a source of blackbody radiation for near-to-far infrared applications at 180Hz with 50% modulation depth. With a pulsing speed 18 times faster than alternative technologies, the PIREPlus maximizes signal to noise performance, optimizing the measurement dynamic range and resolution for trace gases with very low parts per million. The solid state emitter offers high output (4x10-2 watts/cm2 at 1 inch from filament) and fast pulse rate without the added expense of having to build in optical choppers or mechanical modulators as is often done with incandescent bulb emitters and covers a much wider spectrum than high-pulsing IR LEDs which focus on only very narrow bandwidths. The PIREPlus includes an industry standard 14 pin-dip IC package that optimizes output for the chosen pulse rate. The pulse rate is adjustable from 1Hz to 200Hz via variable voltage input to meet specific application requirements. A special feature of the drive electronics is the ability to provide peak pulse temperatures independent of the pulse frequency. This ensures the highest output for any application. For applications that emit their own radiation (such as heat from fire and flame applications), the Sensor Prototype Kit can be provided without an emitter and its circuitry. Developer´s Software The Sensor Prototype Kit also comes with software that allows engineers to quickly confirm signal presence and relative strength. The data is provided in a raw format that can be easily integrated into other larger software platforms for more in-depth analysis. Cal Sensors presented the new Sensor Prototype Kit at booth 2239 of the SPIE-sponsored Photonics West exhibit held January 24-27 in San Francisco, California. Lead time for the new technology is 12 weeks for a SCD or standard MCD (CO, CO2, CH4, plus a reference measurement). Lead time for custom development kits will vary according to technology complexity. Cal Sensors Contact Information For additional information or engineering assistance: In North America, contact Cal Sensor's Sales Department, 5460 Skylane Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403, USA. Phone: +1 (707) 303-3837. FAX: +1 (707) 545-5113. E-mail: info@calsensors.com Web: www.calsensors.com. Cal Sensors also works with distributors in Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. For contact information - please visit www.calsensors.com/distributors.htm. About Cal Sensors Cal Sensors, an ITW company, has been a leading manufacturer of standard and customized photoconductive (PbS and PbSe) infrared detectors, arrays, and broadband emitters for over 20 years. Cal Sensors detectors provide superior sensitivity over the 1-5.5 micron wavelengths. Detector configurations include single element, multi-channel, and arrays. Detector technologies include features such as optional spectral filters, optical condensers, thermoelectric coolers, temperature sensors and integrated drive electronics. Cal Sensors emitters support steady-state or high-pulse rates over the visible to mid-infrared spectrums. Offering high emissivity, reliability and lifetime, Cal Sensors emitters are designed to optimize performance in infrared detection systems. Manufactured and packaged in Santa Rosa, California and distributed worldwide, Cal Sensors products are offered in standard or custom packages. Common applications include: imaging, spectroscopy, medical, automotive emissions, gas and moisture analysis, temperature measurement, flame detection and combustion control. For additional information, please visit www.calsensors.com. About ITW Photonics Group Cal Sensors is a member of the ITW Photonics Group. The ITW Photonics Group was created to bring together and build on the technical expertise of individual companies that specialize in photonics technology and span the full spectrum of wavelengths. The group consists of:

• Cal Sensors - IR Detector and Emitter technology
• Lumex - LED and LCD technology
• Opto Diode Corp - LED, Silicon Photodiodes and Electro-Optical Assembly technology The synergy of these three industry front-runners provides an unsurpassed range of photonic capabilities within a broad spectrum of markets, including medical, military and industrial controls. The ITW Photonics Group provides integrated solutions that encompass the technology and experience from all three business units, offering design engineers higher performance with greater feature enhancements. For additional information, please visit www.itwphotonicsgroup.com.