According to a press release from the ALPS Electric Co their HSHCAL humidity sensor is currently the world’s smallest commercially available digital humidity sensor. Preliminary information released by ALPS on the chip shows a 2 x 2 x 1mm package with six contact pads.

The sensing mechanism uses changes in capacitance to measure relative humidity in the range from 0 to 100 %. Humidity readings are output as a digital value with a 14-bit resolution and a quoted accuracy of ±1.5 % RH at 25 ºC, 50 % RH. An internal temperature measurement feature outputs temperature information which is also used internally to compensate for the temperature coefficient of the humidity sensing element and improve linearity. The HSHCAL sensor operates from 1.71 to 1.89 V and draws 15 µA operating at 1.8 V and 1 Hz.

The company anticipate that the device will principally find a home in mobile devices such as Smartphones, wearable electronics and also in air-conditioning, air purification and refrigeration applications. The device is now in full production.