Würth Elektronik has introduced a MEMS absolute pressure sensor just 2 x 2 x 0.8 mm in size to cover the 26 to 126 kPa range.
 
The absolute pressure sensor type WSEN-PADS offers a range of built-in algorithms to process measurement data for different applications. This simplifies integration of the sensor into systems and can greatly reduce the programming effort required by an external controller. According to the datasheet, the sensors achieve a typical absolute accuracy of ± 100 Pa (-20 to 80 ° C, including solder effects) and a relative accuracy of ± 2.5 Pa (over a pressure range from 80 to 110 kPa at 25 ° C).

The chip contains both a calibrated temperature sensor and an ASIC. The data output repetition rate can be selected from 1 to 200 Hz and the measurement data is supplied via a normal I²C interface.
 
The sensor unit also has an interrupt I/O, the function of which can be defined by the user. According to Würth, one application example is the use of the pressure sensor as an altimeter. Thanks to sensor’s high measurement resolution it is even possible, in a multi-level building, to determine on which floor the sensor is operating. This level of sensitivity makes it well suited to provide measurement information for indoor navigation systems.

The sensor has an operating temperature range from -40 to +85 °C and runs from a supply of 1.7 to 3.6 V. Power consumption is only 4 μA in low-power mode and 12 μA in low-noise mode (both figures achieved with an ODR of 1 Hz) and 900 nA in power-down mode. This makes it ideal for use in mobile applications powered by batteries or via modern energy-harvesting methods.

Würth also offer a practical evaluation board for use with the sensor.