Plessey Semiconductors has said that its EPIC sensor will now sell for less than a dollar in high volume consumer applications.The company has cost-reduced it electrometer sensing technology with a new electrode design to replace the expensive titanium dioxide electrodes currently used for medical applications."The new electrode design for the PS25451 is formed on the copper track of the circuit board that is then covered by the normal protective resist," said Dr. Keith Strickland, Plessey's technology director.The PS25451 device is a non-contact, solid state electric potential sensor that can be used for proximity switching of lighting, gesture-based remote control of interactive toys and presence detection for security/alarm systems.
The EPIC sensor technology works by measuring tiny changes in an electric field in a similar way to a magnetometer detecting changes in a magnetic field even at a distance and through clothing. A feature of the technique is that it can be used for security motion sensors and non-contact electrical switches as well as medical applications detecting heart beats, nerve and muscle activity either by dry contact (i.e. no gels required) or contactless.Production pricing for the PS25451 is less than $1 in volumes above 50,000. It is supplied in a custom 3D package with exposed pins for surface mount assembly and measures 10mm x 10mm x 2mm, which is also pin compatible with the existing PS25401 EPIC sensor.
The PS25451 datasheet EPIC application notes
