This is another reason that I love the PIClist.
I noticed that the Melexis website contains a mail link to a technical
contact person by the name of Dom Pompei. He holds numerous patents on
non-contact temp sensing, and was the founder of Exergen, Corp, also of NH,
USA, which he ran with his brother. I have known these guys for years and
have purchased 100's of their pre-packaged IR/TC (tm) non-contact 2-wire
sensors with standard tc output.

If the sensors described and being discussed here are based on the same
technology, which I believe  they are, the output is characteristically
beyond noisy. In fact, when first plotting it a few years ago, I assumed it
was pure garbage. Many PLC's have become completely confused when trying to
read them, even with moderate signal conditioning. (translation: PLC
unable - unfriendly at best) There is also a wide range of impedances these
parts are manufactured in, which is not controlled - I have parts in ranges
culled from their inventory to fill my orders.

My point is that it seems that Dom has found a new market channel for one of
his patent designs, which is a good thing, but to stress that it's probably
not very easy to use and will require significant programming expertise to
develop adequate filtering and a little more work than the usual in hardware
interfacing. For me it's a no-brainer to give it a go since it can save me
$50 or more per unit.

I don't know that this fits my own skill set so perfectly, but I do plan on
getting into it ASAP. I'll start with a message to Dom sarcastically
thanking him for letting me know that his technology was becoming available
at the component level.

I guess he likes selling me the $100 ea. packaged version...

Chris

> Introduction
>
>         http://www.melexis.com/site/pr/tech_90247_release.htm
>
> Intro data sheet / ordering info (pdf 11 pages)
>
>         http://www.melexis.com/site/products/pdf/90247.pdf
>
>
> $US2 / 100k quantity
>
>

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