November 2016

Analog Sensor Developer Kit – User Manual

The Analog Sensor Developer Kit is configured at the time of shipment for ONE target gas. The picture
below shows the SDK-CO version.

Please review contents of package to confirm that you have received everything.
 A small form-factor, ultra-low power sensor module (ULPSM) configured to work with ONE
particular gas sensor in a pinned PCB package already mounted.
 An Evaluation Board that the ULPSM can plug into to allow quick evaluation of the ULPSM and
Sensor combination with coin cell power supplying power during storage and shipment.
 2 sensors in a pinned PCB package for use with the ULSPM directly
 2 sensors in a castellation PCB package for use your PCB design when completed.
 USB drive containing: ULPSM datasheets, ULPSM schematic, parts list, and PCB gerber/design files.
ULPSM
The ULPSM converts the sensor’s linear current signal output to a linear voltage signal, while
maintaining the sensor at its ideal biased operation settings. ULPSM shown with sensor mounted.

• 0 to 3 V Analog Signal Output

• Low Power Consumption < 45 µW
• Fast Response
• On-board Temperature Sensor
• Easy Sensor Replacement
• Standard 8-pin connector

EVALUATION BOARD
SPEC Sensors Analog Sensor Development Kit 1
www.spec-sensors.com User Manual, Rev. 1.8
(510) 574-8300
 Plug header that replicates the suggested layout for user-implemented solutions.
 Screw terminals for easy connection to external circuits and measurement equipment.
 Jumper-selectable power supply options
o Position 1: BATTERY (default): CR2032 coin battery powered (included).
o Position 2: 3V REG V+: External supply (V+) goes to 3.0V regulator in our circuit. V+ is un-
fused – do not exceed 18 V input!
o Position 3: V+: For connecting a 3V External Supply. This is unregulated and un-fused – Do
not exceed 3.3 V input!
 Unity gain buffers for Vref and Vtemp to allow connection to instrumentation
 Insulating rubber feet.
ULPSM PINOUT
Electrical connections to the ULPSM are made via a rectangular female
socket connector (Sullins Connector Solutions P/N: PPPC041LGBN-RC;
recommended mate for host board: P/N: PBC08SBAN). This connector also
provides mechanical rigidity on one end of the board. A through-hole is
located on the opposite end of the board to provide additional mechanical
connection.

The Evaluation board screw terminals have the same pinout

Pin # ULPSM Function Notes

1 Vgas1 Voltage Output. Vgas is proportional to the target gas concentration.

Voltage Output. Vref is approximately half the supply voltage. Useful
2 Vref1,2
as a fixed reference; equivalent to zero for Vgas.
3 Vtemp1,2 Voltage Output. Vtemp is proportional to temperature.
4 N/C
5 N/C
6 GND Universal ground for power and signal
7 V+ Voltage Supply Input: 2.7 to 3.3 V
8 V+ Voltage Supply Input: 2.7 to 3.3 V
1
Connecting to measurement equipment can inject AC noise onto these DC signals. Be cautious to
provide robust connections that are as short as possible.
2
This output is a low impedance output and requires a buffer to connect to any measurement device (as
provided on the evaluation board).

SPEC Sensors Sensor Development Kit 2

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(510) 574-8300
CALCULATING GAS CONCENTRATION

The target gas concentration is calculated by the following method:

( )

where Cx is the gas concentration (ppm), Vgas is the voltage output gas signal (V), Vgas0 is the voltage output gas
signal in a clean-air environment (free of analyte gas) and M is the sensor calibration factor (V/ppm). The value, M,
is calculated by the following method:

( ⁄ ) ( ⁄ ) ( ⁄ ) ( ⁄ ) ( ⁄ ),

where the Sensitivity Code is provided on the sensor label and the TIA Gain is the gain of the trans-impedance
amplifier (TIA) stage of the ULPSM circuit. Standard gain configurations are listed in the table below.

The value Vgas0 can also be represented by:

where, Vref is the voltage output reference signal (V) and Voffset is a voltage offset factor. The Vref output acts as
the reference voltage for zero concentration even as the battery voltage decreases. Measuring Vref in-situ
compensates for variations in battery or supply voltage, minimizing these effects on Cx. A difference amplifier or
instrumentation amplifier can be used to subtract Vref from Vgas. Alternatively, when measuring Vref directly,
always use a unity gain buffer.

Voffset, accounts for a small voltage offset that is caused by a normal sensor background current and circuit
background voltage. To start, Voffset = 0 is an adequate approximation. To achieve higher-precision
measurements, Voffset must be quantified. Once the sensor has been powered-on and allowed to stabilize in a
clean-air environment (free of the analyte gas) and is providing a stable output within your application’s
measurement goals, the value of Vgas may be stored as Vgas0 and used in subsequent calculations of gas
concentration, Cx.
Target Gas TIA Gain (kV/A)
Carbon Monoxide 100
Hydrogen Sulfide 49.9
Nitrogen Dioxide 499
Sulfur Dioxide 100
Ozone 499
Ethanol 249
Indoor Air Quality 100
Respiratory Irritants 499
SPEC Sensors Sensor Development Kit 3
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TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION

Temperature fluctuations have a predictable, easily compensated effect on the sensor signal. This is a
very uniform and repeatable effect, easily compensated for in hardware or software.

Please refer to the datasheet for the sensor of concern to determine the characteristics of the
temperature effect on zero/baseline current and sensor sensitivity.

When implementing temperature compensation, first correct the temperature effect on the zero
(offset) and then correct the temperature effect on the span (sensitivity) of the sensor.

These corrections can be done in software with:

 Curve fit
 Look up table
 A set of linear approximations

CALCULATING TEMPERATURE

Temperature (°C) may be calculated to ±3 °C, within the range -10 °C to 50 °C, by using the theoretical
relationship:

( ⁄ ) .

SENSOR ZERO/BASELINE STABILZATION AFTER BIAS

The electrochemical sensor can be thought of as a capacitor. The bias placed across the working and
reference electrodes is similar to voltage across the plates of a capacitor. In the case of the
electrochemical sensor, the effective surface area of the “plates” is extremely high. Thus, when the
sensor is initially placed on bias, a “charging current” is observed (see Figure 1). This current may be as
high as several hundred µA initially, but will quickly drop to the low microampere range. Ideally, this
baseline current should be in the sub-microamp range. As the sensor continues to be powered on, the
baseline/zero current asymptotically becomes lower and more stable, i.e. it improves in performance.

We recommend after installing an unbiased sensor, replacing a dead battery, or applying bias after it has
been removed, that you wait for at least 60 minutes before taking a measurement.

SPEC Sensors Sensor Development Kit 4

www.spec-sensors.com User Manual, Rev. 1.8
(510) 574-8300