Infrared Detector Industry: Many Innovations to Drive Arrays Costs Down

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

In parallel, new pyroelectric technologies have been developed by specific companies (Pyreos, Irisys, DIAS infrared) with a strong focus on arrays’ development: from 1X8 to 64X64 pixels or 1x510 pixels. The main applications identified by Yole’s team are people counting, gas & flame detection as well as spectroscopy. In 2016, a new pyroelectric CMOS array technology will be introduced by Irlynx: the company will propose a very low pricing and target US$10 which is a key threshold to access to smart building applications. Beginning of November, the company already announced the completion of a €2 million Series A round of financing.

“In parallel with this technology fight, at Yole, we observe common parallel trends of increased functionality and cost reduction in the different detector markets”, asserts Yann de Charentenay, Senior, Technology & Market Analyst from Yole. And he details:

• Small detectors: detector manufacturers are increasing the added value of their solutions, by developing the resolution from dual to four pixels; they are also introducing the transition from analog to digital/calibrated sensors.
• Within the arrays area, Yole’s analysts distinguish medium and large arrays. Companies propose today medium arrays with a better resolution for faster/wider area detection. In parallel, regarding the large arrays, except for high value niche applications like retail sector people counting, cost reduction is clearly the main target. The objective is to get an access to new applications such as smart buildings applications, where market players are used to buying low-cost motion sensors.

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