Solving Unique Air Quality Challenges with the RRH47000 CO2 Sensor Module

Monitoring CO₂ is a key metric to help with indoor air quality, focusing on improving ventilation in residential and commercial spaces. High CO₂ levels can lead to discomfort, impair cognitive abilities, and increase the likelihood of spreading contagions. CO₂ sensing is a strong parameter to ensure healthy air quality for demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) systems and the modern smart home to improve your general well-being.

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• An infrared light source is directed through the gas chamber, toward the detector
• The optical filter only passes a specific wavelength to the detector
• CO₂ molecules in the chamber absorb this specific wavelength of light
• The detector measures the intensity of incident IR light to determine CO₂ concentration (Lambert-Beer’s Law)

Figure 1. Overview of NDIR Technology Principle of Operation inside RRH47000

Indoor CO₂ levels are increased by the presence of humans, as this is a byproduct of exhalation. High indoor CO₂ levels lead to feelings of stuffiness, drowsiness, and general poor air quality. High quality and fast CO₂ sensing response is key for improving air quality in human environments. Strong metrics to use in addition to CO₂, humidity and temperature, are provided by an onboard humidity and temperature sensor. This adds more context to the status of the air quality that can provide actionable solutions to end customers. In addition to demand-control ventilation (DCV), CO₂ sensors are also used in smart home, smart agriculture, and industrial applications.

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Figure 2. Renesas’ RRH47000 Single-Channel NDIR CO₂ Sensor Module

To maintain an accurate output of CO₂ levels, the Renesas RRH47000 leverages a single-channel NDIR CO₂ sensor, coupled with onboard humidity and temperature sensing. These three sensor parameters provide building automation, agricultural, industrial, and smart home consumers with high-quality metrics to improve air quality based on global regulations. End customers will have high confidence knowing that these sensors meet global industry standards. Renesas, with years of expertise in gas sensing, ensures that the sensor module meets key CO₂ regulatory standards such as California Title 24, RESET, ASHRAE, WELL, UBA, WHO, EPA, and LEED.

The Renesas RRH47000 CO₂ sensor module, with an onboard humidity and temperature sensor and Renesas MCU, provides a high-performing solution that helps solve unique air quality problems impacting our health, comfort, and well-being. HVAC and building automation systems can autonomously react and improve IAQ to this change, or notify users of conditions that may impact their health.

To begin your next product development with CO₂ sensors, get a Renesas RRH47000 CO₂ sensor evaluation kit, RRH47000-EVK, today!

Resources

• RRH47000 CO₂ Sensor Module Kit
• Environmental Sensors