iMatrix Systems, a provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions based in the United States, has recently unveiled its latest range of temperature and humidity sensors. These cutting-edge sensors are specifically designed for applications in food and produce storage, transport monitoring, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Known as the NEO Series, these sensors can accurately measure temperatures within a range of -40°C to 125°C and relative humidity from 0 to 100 percent. They are particularly well-suited for refrigeration and HVAC systems, where precise control of temperature and humidity is crucial for maintaining product quality and minimizing energy costs.
Greg Phillips, the CEO of iMatrix Systems, expressed the significance of the NEO Series by stating, “This series of products can quickly and accurately measure changes in temperature and humidity, making them ideal for use in dynamic refrigeration environments, like cold storage and refrigerated transportation. This helps ensure that items are stored in optimal conditions, reducing spoilage and improving product quality.”
One of the features of the NEO Series sensors is their integration of Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52832 System-on-Chip (SoC). The nRF52832 SoC is equipped with a powerful 64 MHz, 32-bit Arm Cortex M4 processor with a floating-point unit (FPU), which provides ample computational resources for overseeing the sensors and capturing temperature and humidity data. The sensors utilize the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) connectivity of the SoC’s 2.4 GHz multiprotocol radio to transmit the data to a gateway, which then relays it to the iMatrix Cloud platform. Users can access the platform to review sensor data in near real-time, allowing them to take prompt action if temperature or humidity levels deviate from acceptable tolerances. The Cloud platform also offers data analysis and visualization tools, as well as functionalities for device registration, firmware updates, and remote configuration.
The longevity of the NEO Series temperature and humidity sensors is noteworthy, as they can operate for up to three years before requiring battery replacements. This impressive lifespan is partly attributed to the ultra-low power characteristics of the Nordic SoC. The 2.4 GHz radio of the SoC, with its peak RX/TX currents of 5.5 mA, contributes to the sensors’ energy efficiency. Additionally, the SoC incorporates a fully-automatic power management system.
Phillips highlighted the appeal of the nRF52832 SoC, stating, “Overall, the nRF52832’s combination of energy efficiency, processing power, memory capacity, wireless connectivity, and ease of use made it an attractive option. This SoC is also supported by a comprehensive SDK [Software Development Kit] that includes drivers, libraries, and sample code to help product designers get started with software development. The SDK includes tools for debugging, profiling, and optimizing code, making it easier to develop high-quality software for the chip.”
iMatrix Systems is a prominent firm in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sector. The company’s cloud platform and dedicated sensors cater to various markets, including healthcare, residential and commercial buildings, restaurants and hospitality, critical infrastructure, hydroponics, soil monitoring, and management. The newly introduced NEO Series sensors are particularly relevant to the Cold Chain markets, where maintaining temperature and humidity control is essential for preserving the quality and safety of perishable goods.
With the launch of the NEO Series temperature and humidity sensors, iMatrix Systems demonstrates its commitment to providing innovative IoT solutions that address the specific needs of industries such as food storage, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. As businesses continue to prioritize product quality and energy optimization, the NEO Series sensors offer a compelling solution for ensuring optimal conditions in refrigeration and HVAC systems.
Image provided by iMatrix Systems
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