Melexis introduces 32×24 infrared array sensor chip MLX90642

                                                                                                                                              Source: Melexis Author: Melexis Time: 2025-04-11 15:53

                                                                                                                            Melexis infrared sensor MLX90642

Tysondelo, Belgium, April 11, 2025 - Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, announced the launch of the MLX90642, a revolutionary thermal imaging sensor chip. The chip is equipped with a 32×24 pixel infrared (IR) array, setting a new benchmark in the industry. By significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio, as well as global shutter reading and onboard temperature calculation, it delivers performance breakthroughs while offering a highly competitive price. The chip is suitable for intelligent cooking, HVAC control, fire hazard prevention, power electronics overheating detection and hot spot location and other application scenarios, with its own excellent performance, to provide more efficient and reliable solutions for the industry.

From consumer products to industrial designs, the use of contactless sensor chips for accurate temperature detection has become a critical safety requirement. However, designers face many challenges when developing such systems. Among them, cost and accuracy are often the "fish and bear's paw" in the system, which can not be taken into account. In addition, designers often need to add microcontroller units (MCUS) to existing thermal imaging sensor chips to calculate and output accurate temperature matrix data, which further increases the cost and number of components in the system.
The MLX90642 comes in a compact four-pin TO39 package with seamless integration enhanced by factory calibration to read temperatures directly without a dedicated MCU, enabling a smaller, more efficient, and lower cost solution. In terms of performance, the MLX90642 is fully optimized: with high accuracy and low noise, the noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) is only 65mK at a 2Hz refresh rate, ensuring excellent measurement accuracy. In addition, the refresh rate can be configured up to 16Hz according to the specific application needs. The robust design of the MLX90642 enhances the ability to resist external thermal gradient interference while also having a wide operating temperature range of -40 ° C to 85 ° C, further enhancing the stability of its operation.

                                               MLX90642 (Wide FOV) package product diagram

                                             MLX90642 (Narrow FOV) package product diagram

The MLX90642 plays a key role in improving the quality and accuracy of thermal images, outperforming existing solutions. For example, in consumer applications such as cooking or HVAC control, the sensor chip helps to achieve more accurate monitoring of the environment and object temperature, effectively improving energy efficiency and user satisfaction, while ensuring safety in use. In addition, the MLX90642 provides reliable support for intelligent applications that require high-precision feedback, helping automate traditional manual tasks.

The sensor chip provides an excellent balance between performance and cost, with high accuracy and intelligent integration, and can be used as a development platform for new intelligent designs, effectively enhancing the sustainability and functionality of system operation. In typical applications, the chip is widely used in AI-enhanced machine vision technologies, such as human flow monitoring and gesture recognition for smart buildings. Such applications often require higher detection accuracy and lower noise levels, allowing for longer distance detection at high refresh rates.

To meet the needs of diverse applications, the MLX90642 offers two Field of view (FOV) options: 45° x 35° and 110° x 75°, both of which feature 768 high-precision infrared pixels to ensure high measurement accuracy. The chip operates at a current of 28mA and a supply voltage of 3.3V, and has an I2C compatible digital interface to further simplify system integration. Backed by MILescore's powerful and highly scalable manufacturing system and extensive application knowledge, the MLX90642 can fully meet the application needs of a variety of scenarios.

Joris Roels, Marketing Manager at Melai, said: "With the introduction of the MLX90642, Melai has set a new benchmark in thermal sensing technology. The sensor chip provides an excellent balance between performance and cost to support the development of safe, reliable, intelligent and sustainable products."


The MLX90642 is now available.


About Miley Core

Melexis designs, develops and delivers cutting-edge sensing and drive solutions that put people first and care for the planet. Our mission is to help engineers turn their ideas into practical applications, and together create a safe, comfortable and sustainable future where the vision becomes a reality within reach.

Focusing on the automotive market, we offer microelectronics solutions for a wide range of technology applications such as powertrain, thermal management, lighting, electronic braking, electronic steering and batteries. At the same time, we are pioneering innovation in emerging markets such as a sustainable world, alternative mobility, robotics and digital health.

Since its founding in Belgium in 1989, MelayX has grown into a multinational company with more than 2,000 employees in 12 countries around the world, providing customers with cutting-edge technical support.