Summary of WÜRTH ELEKTRONIK INTRODUCES ITS WSEN-HIDS HUMIDITY SENSOR
Würth Elektronik's WSEN-HIDS is a 2 × 2 × 0.9 mm MEMS humidity and temperature sensor offering low energy consumption, long-term stability, and calibrated, temperature-compensated digital outputs. It uses a dielectric polymer capacitive sensor, includes an ADC and temperature sensor, supports I2C and SPI, offers selectable data rates up to 12.5 Hz, ±3.5% RH accuracy between 20–80% RH, and an integrated heater to clear condensate. Operating range is −40 to +120 °C; SDK and evaluation board are available for easy integration in HVAC, building automation, dataloggers, and IoT devices.
Parts used in the WSEN-HIDS project:
- WSEN-HIDS MEMS humidity sensor (2 × 2 × 0.9 mm)
- Dielectric polymer capacitive sensing element
- Integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
- Integrated temperature sensor
- I2C communication interface
- SPI communication interface
- Built-in heater for condensate removal
- Sensor Software Development Kit (SDK)
- Evaluation board provided by Würth Elektronik
Würth Elektronik has developed a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor only 2 × 2 × 0.9 mm in size. Thanks to its low energy requirement and its calibrated and temperature-compensated digital output, the sensor measures humidity and temperature with long-term stability. The WSEN-HIDS humidity sensor is based on advanced MEMS technology: A dielectric polymer absorbs or releases water molecules in proportion to the relative humidity in the surroundings, thereby changing the permeability of a capacitor structure. The humidity sensor with integrated analog-digital converter and temperature sensor can be connected to commonly used microcontrollers via an I2C or SPI interface. With the help of the software development kit, which is also available, there is no faster/easier way to individually set data rates and use the interrupt pin.
Alongside classical applications, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, and cooling systems, thanks to its small size and minimized energy requirement, the WSEN-HIDS humidity sensor is also suitable for dataloggers, as well as stationary and portable IoT applications. For modern applications, Würth Elektronik provides developers with an evaluation board. The MEMS sensor delivers calibrated measurement results with superb accuracy of ±3.5% RH in the 20% to 80% RH humidity range. The sensor outputs at a data rate in the millisecond range. Condensate forming on the surface of the polymer structure can be removed again by activating a built-in heater – so the sensor can generate measured data again within a very short time. The operating temperature range of the robust sensor is –40 to +120 °C.
Characteristics
- MEMS based capacitive sensing principle
- Relative humidity range 0% to 100%
- Embedded analog to digital converter
- Fully calibrated 16 bit humidity and temperature output
- I²C and SPI communication interface
- Selectable output data rate up to 12.5 Hz
- Operating temperature range: -40 °C to 120 °C
- Sensor Software Development Kit
- Sensor SDK User Manual
Read more: WÜRTH ELEKTRONIK INTRODUCES ITS WSEN-HIDS HUMIDITY SENSOR
- What is the physical size of the WSEN-HIDS sensor?
The sensor measures 2 × 2 × 0.9 mm. - How does the WSEN-HIDS measure humidity?
It uses a dielectric polymer that absorbs or releases water molecules, changing the capacitance of a capacitor structure. - What communication interfaces does the WSEN-HIDS support?
The sensor supports I2C and SPI interfaces. - What accuracy does the WSEN-HIDS provide?
It delivers calibrated measurement results with ±3.5% RH accuracy in the 20% to 80% RH range. - Can the WSEN-HIDS clear condensate from its sensing surface?
Yes, it has a built-in heater that can remove condensate so the sensor can generate measured data again quickly. - What is the operating temperature range of the WSEN-HIDS?
The operating temperature range is −40 °C to +120 °C. - What data rates are available from the WSEN-HIDS?
The sensor offers selectable output data rates up to 12.5 Hz and can output at millisecond-range data rates. - Is there software available to configure the WSEN-HIDS?
Yes, Würth Elektronik provides a Sensor Software Development Kit and a Sensor SDK User Manual. - What applications is the WSEN-HIDS suitable for?
It is suitable for HVAC, building automation, cooling systems, dataloggers, and stationary and portable IoT applications.
