Today we did a quick test of the TMP006 infrared non-contact temperature sensor with an I2C interface. Point it at something and it measures the temperature. We were expecting a simple breakout board we could test with the Bus Pirate, but got full USB-enabled evaluation kits. To use the Bus Pirate with this board check out Joe’s tutorial. You might get this kit if you leave a comment on yesterday’s giveaway announcement (comments on this post will not be considered).
The evaluation kit has two parts: a USB module that presumably works with many different TI breakout boards, and the TMP006 sensor board. The sensor is only available in a BGA8 package, so a breakout board like this is the only way many people can use the sensor. It’s available from Digi-Key in 1s, so we could sell a simple breakout board if you’re interested.
Data signals from the sensor are brought to probe-friendly vias, but there’s no ground via to connect a logic analyzer or scope. There’s also no power test point to check the operating voltage or power the board externally. If you want to use the sensor without the USB connector, the best way is probably to poke wires into the fine-pitch female connector.
We installed the demo software from the included CD. A system restart was needed, and afterwords a new service called ‘SystemWebServer.exe’ wanted internet access. We blocked it. A quick google suggests it’s part of the LabVIEW distributable installed with the demo.
The software demonstrates the TMP006 well. The first screen shows the measured temperature, the second tab accesses the raw register contents, and the third tab graphs the sensor output. Here, a hand held 2-3cm over the sensor measures a very non-zombie skin temperature of 95 degrees. That seems reasonable, even without a proper enclosure.
This graph shows the measurement at room temperature, pointed at a cup of ice water, and finally pointed at cup of coffee. The response time is pretty amazing, especially compared to slow passive infrared motion sensors. There isn’t much of a ramp-up time, the temperature change is shown immediately on the next measurement.
The TMP006 is a really cool sensor, and the evaluation kit was a simple way to check it out. We would have liked a full breakout of every pin to 0.1″ pin headers on the sensor board. We would also have preferred the software not install a new web service that’s always running in the background.
Remember that you can win this board tomorrow by leaving a comment on the giveaway post here, comments on this post will not be considered.
Even good. I really like the quick response feature.
is there any spec on accuracy for this sensor? i took a superficial look at the datasheet, but nothing jumped out at me.
it stinks that it’s only available in BGA, though.