A2.4 - Capacitive Sensors from Low Cost to High Resolution on Printed Circuit Boards

HSG-IMAT develops capacitive sensors based on printed circuit board technology (pcb) for application specific use. PCB based sensors have a few benefits compared to other sensor technologies, they are flexible in design, layouts can be easily and cost-efficiently adapted to new requirements and standard SMD processes can be used to assemble necessary components and circuits. They are adequate for small and medium-sized quantities and without any special process and they can be manufactured or modified by SMEs themselves. From low cost pressure, wireless readout assembling, torque and rotary position sensors to high resolution 1-axis and 2-axis inclination and position sensors, a wide spectrum of knowledge in capacitive sensor design based on printed circuit board technology is available. With respect to the final application of the sensor, its base capacitance, the required resolution and repetition rate, different integrated circuits and topologies for digitizing the capacitive sensor signal can be chosen. HSG-IMAT also offers a full spectrum of tests for reliability and develops algorithms to compensate the sensors for ambient conditions such as temperature and humidity.