Title
Gas Sensor ASIC
Adopting ASIC technology manufacturing costs is reduced by a factor of two
Technologies used

Mixed Signal ASIC

Industrial sector (PRODCOM code)
    332 Instruments & Appliances for.measuring, checking, testing etc.
Abstract
Telaire Europe AB (Telaire) produces high performance, low-cost gas sensors/ventilation controllers based on innovative infrared technology. The sensors are intended for volume applications, today mainly in the European indoor air quality market. Telaire is an OEM supplier of CO2 sensors/controllers to several Euro-pean companies. Telaire was founded in 1992. The annual turnover is today (1998) 2200 kECU and the number of employees is 20.

The sensors are today realised with standard components on a surface mounted PCB. These products are designed and manufactured by Telaire. The sensors are targeting a very cost sensitive market where the end user price versus sales volume has a steep exponential behaviour. The product cannot be further cost reduced using standard components.

The mixed signal ASIC developed within this AE incorporates all major functions that are included in the current sensor family. The main objective for developing the ASIC was to reduce production costs for the sensor.

The component cost in production for one sensor will be reduced by more than a factor of two. This will result in a significant reduction in production cost that will make it possible to increase present sales on the existing markets. There are also new potential markets that can be addressed with a low cost, high performance sensor. The Application Experiment was started in January 1997 and finished, according to plan, in November 1997. Totally 117 person days of effort has been used to a total cost of 105 KECU. Prototypes have success-fully been manufactured and evaluated. Transfer to production has started outside of the FUSE-project. The payback period for developing the ASIC is 12 months. The return on investment will be 210 % within a period of three years.

Telaire has, during the project, gained experience in international project management, electronic design & performance simulation, and ASIC development.
Company
Telaire Europe AB
Box 96
SE-820 60 DELSBO
SWEDEN
Detailed information
You can also benefit from microelectronics

Mixed Signal ASIC technology provided Telaire Europe AB with the means of improving its products and enhancing its market position. You can also achieve significant benefits by acquiring the right microelectronics technology and utilising it in your product or manufacturing process. You can get help from FUSE to realise this.

FUSE is a technology transfer programme, funded by the European Commission to stimulate the wider use of microelectronics technologies by European enterprises to increase their competitiveness and enhance their economic growth. The demonstrator described here is one of many examples in the public FUSE portfolio covering the whole spectrum of microelectronics technologies and spanning a wide range of applications and industry sectors.

FUSE provides you with:

  • Best practice in acquiring specific microelectronics technologies and conducting full development projects through the FUSE portfolio of real life demonstrator documents.
  • Local training and expert support to plan your innovation realistically and help you conduct your project successfully.

Further information and support relating to this and other demonstrators can be obtained from the addresses below.
Further information   Guiding Technology Transfer Node
For further information and support regarding this case study, please contact a Technology Transfer Node (TTN) in your region.
Homepage: http://www.fuse-network.com
IMC
Teknikringen 3
S-58330 Linkoping
Sweden