Veurey-Voroize, France -- ULIS, a manufacturer of high-quality infrared (IR) imaging sensors for thermography, security and surveillance, automotive, and military applications, announces that the Micro80P, its first 80 by 80 small pixel pitch high-sensitivity thermal sensor array, is available for sampling.
Selected customers have started testing the first units of Micro80P, which is based on amorphous silicon, a microbolometer technology industry proven for its reliability. Micro80P aims at improving next-generation motion detection systems and increasing the measurement accuracy of building energy diagnostic tools, such as spot thermometers and other commercial thermal equipment, thereby enabling users to obtain more reliable data.
"ULIS' Micro80P is designed to fill a capability gap in existing low-resolution thermal detection sensors," said Emmanuel Bercier, Product Line Manager at ULIS. "It delivers data that goes several steps beyond the simple binary yes/no response provided by today's single- or quad-element thermal-detection sensors used in, for example, motion detectors. In addition to detecting motion, ULIS' higher spatial resolution 80 by 80 pixel thermal sensor array can also count, localize, and classify objects or human activity. This means Micro80P can be used to regulate heating/air conditioning by informing the system about the number of people present in a room or other elements present that could impact air temperature, such as the walls. Initial feedback from customers sampling Micro80P has been positive. We will be ready to launch Micro80P by mid-year."
Micro80P extends ULIS' product portfolio from its high-resolution, high-sensitivity thermal imaging sensors used in thermography, security and surveillance, transportation, and military applications to an entry-level product at the upper end of thermal detection sensors. Consequently, Micro80P can be used in either of two ways: one will be to produce data in the form of an image for low-end imaging applications, like spot thermometers, so that users can see what is being measured. This is not the case today. The other will be to provide image-free data for thermal detection applications, such as automated building energy management, security access, or people counting.
ULIS will display Micro80P at stand 12502 during the Sensor and Test exhibition, May 15–16, 2013, in Nuremburg, Germany.
The team will also present a technical paper on performance enhancements in next-generation thermal sensor arrays entitled: "Low-power consumption infrared thermal sensor arrays for smart detection and thermal imaging applications." The presentation will focus on the Readout Integrated Circuit architecture of an 80 by 80 format sensor, which embeds the latest onchip innovation, such as low-power-consumption management, using an I2C standard interface. Vacuum packaging technology improvements, such as Pixel Level Packaging, will be covered.
About ULIS
ULIS, a subsidiary of Sofradir and GE Equity, specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality infrared imaging sensors for thermography, security and surveillance, automotive, and military applications. It enables makers of consumer electronics and infrared equipment to produce low-weight, low-power-consumption, and cost-effective thermal cameras in large volume.
ULIS ranks among the top three for uncooled IR sensors delivered. It is the "only company out of the top three to use amorphous silicon-based technology that provides unusually high uniformity," a key parameter for high-resolution imaging. Due to its amorphous silicon technology, a robust and reliable semiconductor material proven for its industrial production capacity, the company also achieves large-scale production, which is enabling it to meet the growing demand from existing commercial and emerging markets.
ULIS is located in Veurey-Voroize, near Grenoble and employs 140 people.