At the 2024 Sensors Converge Conference and Expo, Fierce Electronics and Sensors Converge jointly presented the Best of Sensors Awards. The awards are presented each year to recognize remarkable achievements in the sensors industry and honor the companies and people who made them possible. Among the winners this year, NOVELDA took home the award in the IoT category for its X7 Ultra-Low Power Presence Sensor (ULPP).
The NOVELDA X7 ULPP sensor represents a leap forward in wireless sensing technology, leveraging Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar to deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability in human presence detection. What sets the sensor apart is its low power consumption, operating in the microwatt range, which not only conserves energy but also extends the lifespan of the products it's integrated into.
The X7 features NOVELDA's newest System-On-Chip, which integrates two full transceiver chains, clock generation, power management, and CPU into a single package. This integration, combined with direct-RF sampling and fast-startup crystal-less operation, enables the sensor to achieve power consumption levels as low as 50 microwatts, making battery-powered radar applications a reality.
The X7's UWB technology transmits very short, low-power RF pulses and analyzes the reflections to detect people and objects in its vicinity. This approach offers several advantages over competing wireless sensor technologies. The high bandwidth (over 500 MHz) ensures reliable and accurate detection even in difficult environments like cluttered indoor spaces with no line of sight to the target. The sensor can determine the position of people within a few centimeters and detect minute movements such as heartbeat or respiration.
Another feature of the X7 ULPP is its ability to operate behind virtually any non-conductive material. This flexibility allows for seamless integration into product designs without compromising aesthetics or functionality. The sensor's discreteness also makes it less prone to tampering and vandalism, enhancing its suitability for use in public and high-traffic areas.
The versatility of the X7 extends to its applications. It's being deployed in solutions that help organizations optimize the use of their physical spaces. By providing real-time measurement of space usage, the sensor offers valuable insights that can drive decisions around workplace design, efficiency, energy usage, and safety. Its ability to operate with low power consumption and through obstacles, like walls, leads to more versatile and reliable sensing solutions, even in complex architectural environments.
When it comes to coexisting with other wireless services, the X7 ULPP operates in a part of the frequency spectrum with few competing services. Its low emission levels ensure virtually negligible interference with other wireless services, making it an ideal choice for environments with multiple electronic devices.
The sensor's small form factor, combined with its low power consumption and ability to function effectively in many environments, makes it easy to integrate into end products. This versatility opens up possibilities for innovation in fields such as healthcare monitoring, senior care, and security systems, where precision, power efficiency, and reliability are vital.
NOVELDA AS, founded in 2004 by Dag T. Wisland, Eirik Næss-Ulseth, Tor Sverre Lande, and Einar Nygård in Oslo, Norway, has established itself as a leader in UWB radar sensor technology. The company's sensors have found applications and diverse products, including laptops, baby monitors, and HVAC systems, demonstrating the versatility and potential of their technology in the IoT space.
To explore the full spectrum of sensor technologies recognized this year, including winners in other categories, visit the complete 2024 Best of Sensors Awards announcement.