Rohm, a Japanese electronics manufacturer, has developed a waterproof high accurate barometric pressure sensor IC for home appliances, industrial equipment, and small IoT devices.

The BM1390GLV has a waterproof rating of IPX8.

For indoor navigation and collecting altitude data in activity meters, barometric pressure sensors have become common in wearables and smartphones. As applications have grown in recent years, there has been a growth in demand for waterproof and smaller barometric pressure sensors that are durable and resistant to external disturbances.

In response, Rohm has developed a small barometric pressure sensor that is waterproof and resistant to temperature variations as well as mechanical stress. The IC combines previously developed MEMS and control circuitry with original waterproof technology to achieve IPX8 waterproof performance in a 2.0 by 2.0 by 1.0mm size.

A proprietary built-in temperature adjustment function maintains temperature characteristics, and a ceramic package prevents changes in device-specific features induced by mechanical stress during board installation. These characteristics enable high accuracy barometric pressure measurement in applications demanding waterproof performance and in situations subject to large temperature fluctuations.

Key Features

• Compact waterproof IPX8 rated package expands application range: The BM1390GLV achieves IPX8 waterproof performance in the same size as compact conventional packages (2.0mm × 2.0mm × 1.0mm) by combining MEMS and control circuitry cultivated over many years with original waterproof technology. A proprietary structure provides internal protection by using a special gel, making it ideal for industrial equipment and home appliances that require waterproof performance.
• Superior temperature characteristics and resistance to stress enable high accuracy barometric pressure measurement: The BM1390GLV adopts an original temperature compensation function and ceramic material in the package to achieve superior temperature characteristics and stress resistance. This enables high accuracy barometric pressure measurement even in environments subject to temperature changes and stress.
  • Integrated temperature compensation function ensures stable measurement accuracy from low to high temperatures: The BM1390GLV includes a temperature compensation function that utilizes a proprietary algorithm. As a result, stable measurement of barometric pressure is possible by minimizing measurement error caused by temperature compared with standard products, enabling mounting close to heat sources (which is conventionally difficult to achieve). At the same time, the external MCU typically used for compensation calculation is no longer required, simplifying design load.
  • Ceramic package suppresses characteristics fluctuations due to stress: Resin packages used in conventional products can lead to characteristics variations from stress during mounting. In contrast, the BM1390GLV adopts a ceramic package that minimizes stress-induced characteristics fluctuations. This eliminates the layout restrictions required for sensor placement of resin products, contributing to greater design flexibility.

Rohm Semiconductor employs 22,370 people. The company designs and manufactures a wide range of products, including SiC diodes and MOSFETs, analog ICs such as gate drivers and power management ICs, as well as power transistors and diodes and passive components. Manufacturing takes undertaken in Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and China.