Würth Elektronik WSEN-HIDS series compact digital humidity sensor

Würth Elektronik is launching a compact digital humidity sensor in the WSEN-HIDS series. The MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) sensor measures with a precision of ±1.8% RH in the 20–80% relative humidity range. The DFN (Dual Flat No Leads) package for SMT assembly measures just 1.5 x 1.5 x 0.5 mm. The sensor works with a current of 0.4 µA and can be operated with a power supply between 1.08 and 3.6 V. It is suitable for distributed IoT sensor networks, such as those in smart farming applications.

The humidity sensor uses a dielectric polymer that interacts with water molecules to adjust the permeability of the capacitor structure depending on the relative humidity of the surroundings. A temperature sensor is also included. Using the integrated analog-digital converter, the momentary temperature as well as the humidity information can be transmitted as 16-bit measurement data directly to conventional microcontrollers via an I²C interface. The heater (also included) with three selectable heating levels can be switched on temporarily as required, so the sensor works under demanding ambient conditions and the measurement is not falsified by condensation.

The Würth Elektronik humidity sensor is versatile — from air-conditioning equipment to data loggers in the food industry, to smart buildings, vertical farming and other applications that require precise environmental control. To support rapid prototyping, the sensor is part of the FeatherWing sensor and the IoT Development Kit from Würth Elektronik.