As part of the global push to decarbonize, improving the energy efficiency of buildings is a critical part of the solution. To help meet this requirement, Infineon Technologies provides the XENSIV PAS CO2 sensor for greener buildings.
Today, Infineon announces that its XENSIV PAS CO2 has met the performance requirements set by the internationally recognized WELL and LEED green building certifications.
Specifically, the sensor contributes to 5 WELL features (including ventilation design, air quality monitoring and awareness) and 6 LEED credits (optimized energy performance and enhanced indoor air quality strategies).
These contributions allow buildings seeking certification to earn a maximum of 28 points for LEED and up to six points for WELL.
These qualifications were confirmed by a strategic assessment carried out by GREENMAP, a program developed by Italy's leading green building innovation center, Habitech. The organization is accredited for WELL performance testing and is a proven LEED provider.
“Our goal is to help companies promote sustainability as part of their strategy to foster innovation and development. GREENMAP allows organizations to unlock the value of products that contribute to a greener future,” said Laura Pighi, GREENMAP program director. “Working together with Infineon gave us the opportunity to appreciate their research, applications and their strong commitment to sustainable development, decarbonization and digitalization.” .
Until now, NDIR has been considered the cutting-edge technology for CO 2 sensors. XENSIV PAS CO2 has now proven that the principle of Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) officially meets WELL-approved sensor technology requirements. Infineon CO 2 Sensor equals the performance of cutting-edge NDIR solutions in a size four times smaller.
Green buildings have become a strategic priority for organizations looking to promote occupant well-being, increase productivity, save energy costs and meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives. Infineon's XENSIV PAS CO2 sensor contributes to buildings that require WELL and LEED certifications.
This could mean adjusting fresh air supply based on real-time occupancy and providing occupants with a more comfortable environment. Accurate, real-time data output can be used to remove CO 2 pollutants and improve indoor air quality through demand-controlled ventilation. This results in energy savings of up to 30%, higher levels of comfort, well-being and productivity.
The XENSIV PAS CO2 sensor, in combination with HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems, is an ideal example of how Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization.
“Environmental sensing is a pillar in our growing software-driven sensor solutions,” said Jan-Hendrik Sewing, head of radio frequency and sensors business at Infineon. “Our XENSIV PAS CO2 offers a sensor solution that provides a healthier environment for occupants and increases the operational efficiency of wellness ventilation systems, while significantly reducing energy demand and CO2 emissions.”
The XENSIV PAS CO2 is a CO 2 sensor based on Photoacoustic Spectroscopy (PAS) technology. The sensor provides real-time measurements of indoor air quality and enables energy-efficient implementation strategies to maintain a healthy indoor environment. It also integrates into a small form factor module:
- A PAS transducer (MEMS acoustic detector, infrared source and optical filter)
- A microcontroller for signal processing and algorithms — integrated microcontroller performs ppm calculations, advanced compensation, and self-calibration algorithms
- A MOSFET chip to drive the infrared source
The acoustic detector's exceptional sensitivity enables best-in-class accuracy, while its miniaturized size reduces space requirements by more than 75% compared to other commercially available real CO. 2 sensors.