Melexis MLX90637 Mini Automotive Infrared Thermometer IC
Melexis MLX90637 Miniature Automotive Infrared Thermometer IC is an advanced Surface Mount Device (SMD) non-contact infrared (IR) temperature sensor specifically engineered for critical temperature monitoring in Electric Vehicle (EV) systems, including inverters, motors, and HVAC. It provides high-speed and accuracy, offering substantial advantages over traditional NTC thermistors. This sensor utilizes non-contact measurement, ensuring intrinsic galvanic isolation to separate high- and low-voltage circuits, enhancing safety. Its inherent Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) eliminates the noise challenges associated with NTC wires.
The SMD packaging supports automated PCB-based assembly, drastically simplifying production. Designed for resilience, it has a wide ambient operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C. For precise thermal management in applications such as inverter busbar monitoring, the MLX90637 delivers a superior 0.02°C resolution and a fast response time. It offers a 50° Field of View (FoV).
The Melexis MLX90637 is factory-calibrated, with constants stored in its EEPROM, allowing external calculation of object and ambient temperatures. It maintains accurate measurements by being highly resistant to localized thermal variations and incorporates an optical filter (2µm to 20µm pass band) for immunity to ambient light. The sensor operates on a 3.3V supply voltage and supports a 3.3V I2C bus voltage for communication.
Features
- Small 3mm x 3mm size 5-pin SMD SFN package
- RoHS-compliant
- Factory calibrated
- 50° field of view
- 0.02°C standard measurement resolution
- Less than 2.5μA sleep current
- I2C interface
- Software definable I2C address with 1LSB bit external address pin
- Wide refresh rate range
- Integrated post-calibration option
- -40°C to +125°C ambient operating temperature range
- AEC-Q100 qualified
- Diagnostics as a quality management device
Applications
- Power semiconductor surface temperature (e.g., traction inverter)
- Bus bar monitoring (e.g., traction inverter)
- Stator/rotor temperature measurement
- Cooling circuits thermal management (e.g., traction inverter, battery pack, ECUs)
- HVAC in-cabin temperature
Additional Resources
Related Development Tool
Block Diagram
