PCAP02 is a capacitance-to-digital converter with a digital signal processor. Its front end is based on ScioSense patented PICOCAP measuring principle.
This conversion principle offers high resolution at conversion times as short as 2 µs. Users benefit from outstanding flexibility with respect to power consumption, resolution or speed.
The PCAP02 can be used for grounded single and differential sensors as well as for floating single and differential sensors. With grounded capacitors the stray capacitance inside the chip will be compensated. With floating capacitors, further to the internal stray capacitance, the external stray capacitances as well get compensated. The introduction of a pre-charge cycle improves the usability for MEMS sensors and adds also a short-circuit protection. The temperature can be measured by means of internal thermistors or external ones (platinum or others). The chip needs firmware to process the the raw measurement data and to convert them in appropriate results.
ScioSense offer two versions of open-source firmware, one for pure compensates capacitance ratios and one for fully linearized and temperature compensated results.
For a quick and easy start-up with the PICOCAP product line, we offer a general evaluation kit. The system is connected to the PC’s USB interface through the PICOPROG programming device. A comfortable evaluation software allows to program and configure the PCAP02. The measurement data can be shown numerically and graphically. Finally, the data can be exported to text files for further analyses.
As a specialist in environmental and flow sensor technology, ScioSense enables companies to use the planet’s resources more sustainably, helping to create a healthier future for all.
