Module/Melexis MLX90614

Melexis MLX90614

Overview

The Melexis MLX90614 is a digital infrared radiation sensor. It is used to measure earths surface temperature when flying at low altitudes. It measures both the object (earth) temperature and the case (sensor) temperature.

Module name	meteo/ir_mlx
Sensor type	temperature
Range (object)	-70°C .. +380°C
Resolution	0.02°C
Refresh rate	8Hz
I2C address	0x06

MLX90614 product homepage

Hardware

The board does have a 3.3V I2C interface.

Supplier:

Future Electronics

Sparkfun

Wiring

Autopilot I2C pin	Autopilot I2C	MLX90614	MLX90614 pin
1	GND	Vss	4
2
3	+3.3V	Vdd	3
4	SDA	SDA	2
5	SCL	SCL	1

Usage

To use the infrared radiation sensor:

File: conf/airframes/myplane.xml

<modules> <load name="ir_mlx.xml"/> </modules>

One-time configuration

(tbd)

The I2C address is stored in internal flash memory and is usually randomly set. To set it to a useful value (0x06) put the below define only once while setting your equipment up.

File: conf/airframes/myplane.xml

<load name="ir_mlx.xml"> <define name="IR_MLX_ONE_TIME CONFIG" value="1"/> </load>

Result message

Both the sensor case temperature and infrared object temperature are measured. The raw data (itemp_case/_obj) and the converted result (temp_case/_obj) is written to the log file. The message is automatically sent when new data is received, it does not have to be added to the telemetry file.

File: conf/messages.xml

<message name="MLX_STATUS" id="85"> <field name="itemp_case" type="uint16"/> <field name="temp_case" type="float" unit="deg_celsius" format="%.2f"/> <field name="itemp_obj" type="uint16"/> <field name="temp_obj" type="float" unit="deg_celsius" format="%.2f"/> </message>

Sample log file lines

6.518 123 MLX_STATUS 14703 20.91 14702 20.89
6.634 123 MLX_STATUS 14703 20.91 14702 20.89
6.750 123 MLX_STATUS 14704 20.93 14705 20.95
6.878 123 MLX_STATUS 14703 20.91 14702 20.89

NOTES

If flying at higher altitudes the infrared radiation from the in-between water vapor is also measured.