Bosch Sensortec — BMP384 Barometric Pressure Sensor

Bosch Sensortec has launched the BMP384 barometric pressure sensor, which features a footprint of just 2.0mm x 2.0mm x 1.0mm, making it the smallest water-resistant barometric pressure sensor on the market.

The compact package contains a special gel which provides a high level of protection against liquids, dust and other contaminants.

The BMP384 offers a wide pressure-measurement range of 300hPa to 1,250hPa, a relative accuracy of ±0.09hPa – equivalent to ±75cm of elevation – and absolute accuracy of ±50Pa. Providing stable measurement performance, the BMP384 features a temperature coefficient offset of just ±1.0Pa/K.

Drawing just 3.4μA at a 1Hz sampling rate, the BMP384 is ideal for use in waterproof smart watches and fitness trackers: these types of devices must tolerate salt water, rain, sweat, dust, and chemicals such as those found in swimming pools or sunscreens. Since the barometric pressure sensor detects changes in elevation, it is also useful for improving the accuracy of calorie-consumption measurements.

In addition to use in wearable devices, the BMP384 is suitable for monitoring air flow, water volume or differential pressure in home appliances, and in industrial applications exposed to water or dust. 

The BMP384 has a built-in infinite impulse response filter to minimize the impact of short-term disturbances on the sensor’s output caused by events such as a door slamming.