Semiconductor company Flusso has launched what it calls the world's smallest flow sensor as part of a digital flow sensing solution for use in high-volume consumer and industrial markets.

The new FLS110 flow sensor, with a footprint of just 3.5 mm x 3.5 mm, is small enough to fit into any product. It is being launched with a complete package of design and application engineering support to make it easy for product manufacturers to incorporate flow measurement into virtually any product or system for the first time.

Applications for the flow sensor include active filter monitoring in vacuum cleaners, air-conditioning units and other consumer appliances; pipe blockage detection in industrial and domestic gas-detection products and systems; air pump monitoring and control in both consumer and industrial applications; and portable healthcare equipment such as smart inhalers and fitness monitoring masks.

Flusso has developed its easy-to-use, fully customizable FLS110 flow sensing solution to seamlessly integrate hardware and software with mechanical and fluidic components.

The new sensor measures flow rate across a wide measurement range of 0.001 to over 500 standard liters per minute (slm, in a bypass configuration). It delivers a fully temperature-compensated and reliable flow signal and has been optimized for fast scale-up and cost-effective mass production.

Additionally, Flusso is offering a full package of electronic, mechanical and fluidic engineering knowhow and support to incorporate flow measurement into their products. The package includes flow sensing firmware; software to configure and customize different FLS110 operating modes depending on the application requirements; design guides; and application engineering support to help shorten new product development timescales.

FLS110 is integrated into a six-pin DFN package, is reflow solderable and shipped in tape and reel for automated product assembly.

Samples are available now and are being supplied within a product evaluation kit that can be ordered here. Volume production will begin in 2021.