Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced the upcoming launch of a new MelDIR-brand 80×60-pixel thermal-diode infrared sensor (MIR8060C1) with a 100°×73° field of view (FOV). Specifically, this is more than double that of the company’s existing thermal-diode infrared sensors*. Accordingly, it accurately and efficiently identifies people and objects. Moreover, the expanded FOV will reduce the number of sensors required to effectively monitor large areas. Thus, it contributes to the safety, security, and convenience of solutions for monitoring elderly care facilities and building air-conditioning systems, counting people, and measuring body temperatures. It schedules the product launch on January 6, 2025.

Primarily, the new MelDIR thermal-diode infrared sensor suppresses incident-light components that blur thermal images. It uses a newly designed lens for an expanded FOV. Wide-area monitoring is possible with a single unit, which reduces the cost of monitoring systems. At the same time, it provides high-precision 80×60-pixel detection for the accurate identification of people and objects, monitoring behavior, etc. As with existing MelDIR products, it also provides support tools . Specifically, they help device manufacturers integrate the sensor into their products, contributing to faster product development.

Product Features

1) More than double the detection range of existing products

It suppresses incident-light components that blur thermal images. Using a newly designed lens enables the FOV to be expanded to 100°×73°, more than double the 78°×53° range of existing products. As in existing products, proprietary thermal-diode technology realizes high-precision 80×60-pixel identification of people and objects, behavior monitoring, and temperature measurement.

2) Wide field of view saves costs by reducing number of units required for monitoring

The extra-wide FOV lowers the number of units required in systems compared to existing infrared sensors. Thus, it helps reduce system costs.

3) User support tools help to shorten product-development time

The provision of a demo kit** for product evaluation and various information, such as reference designs*** for hardware and software development, shortens the product-development time when incorporating the sensor into devices.

Moreover, Mitsubishi Electric also provides AI model training tools. It creates algorithms to detect humans and recognize postures for elderly monitoring, counting people, and confirming personnel presence in smart-building.

Generally, devices and systems that use infrared and other sensors to monitor temperature, brightness, are increasingly in demand in sectors such as elderly care and smart-building management. Particularly, a MelDIR-brand infrared sensor was launched by Mitsubishi Electric in 2019 for privacy-protected detection of human postures and movements in the dark. It is used for monitoring the elderly, counting people to assess congestion, and managing air-conditioning systems. More recently, demand has increased for infrared sensors that offer extended detection range for monitoring large areas. Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to develop its MelDIR infrared sensors for a safer and more convenient services for elderly care facilities, smart buildings and more.

*Including thermal-diode infrared sensor MelDIR MIR8060B1 (78°×53° field, 80×60 pixels).

** Kit for using PC to display and save thermal images captured with MelDIR sensor, integrating printed. circuit board with components such as MelDIR, microcontroller and shutter. Available from Jan. 6, 2025.

*** Information for developing products incorporating MelDIR sensor, including circuit diagrams, BOM lists, Gerber data, and other software and hardware details.

-24 October 2024-