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HDC3022: The measured relative humidity is always positive and out of specification.

Part Number: HDC3022

Tool/software:

Hello, as a result of analyzing the relative humidity data acquired from the produced sensor, the positive error and the error outside the specification were identified, so I would like to inquire about it.

  1. Sensor classification

A total of 65 sensors were classified based on purchased date, and Group 3 was sub-classified based on the assembly method

Classification

NIST-ID

Number of sensors

Assembly Method

Group 1

xx-xx-7a-9f-09-1f

4

Manual

Group 2

xx-xx-fc-70-08-2e

50

SMT

Group 3-1

xx-xx-a5-73-11-3e

5

Manual

Group 3-2

xx-xx-a5-73-11-3e

6

SMT

Table 1

  • "XX" in NIST-ID: means don't-care
  • Group 3 was included to investigate the assembly method based on the results in "Table 2".
  • Group 1: purchased samples for development purposes (Mauser)
  • See "Figure 5" for Group 2 and Group 3

 

  1. Repeatability and Deviation check

As shown in "Table 2" below, there is a deviation from the specifications, showing an overall positive error. Notably, Group 2 shows a higher error than the other groups.

 

Category

Error

30%RH

60%RH

90 %RH

Group 1

3.9

2.5

4.5

Group 2

2.8

3.7

8.0

Group 3-1

1.7

1.6

4.3

Group 3-2

1.1

0.6

3.3

Table 2

  • The table was created by calculating the maximum values.
  • Deviation = Acquired value of group sensor – Acquired value of reference sensor.
    • Reference sensor: Vaisala, HMP155 (output type: RS-485) (certified for calibration by the Korea Meteorological Institute (KMI))

I am attaching the details and additional data, so please check and answer. Thank you.

Best Regards

HDC3022 Inquiry report.docx

NIST-ID and Sensor Deviation by Humidity .xlsx

HumidityTemperature Sensor Deviation Comparison Graph.zip

  • Hello,

    Thank you for the detailed report, it is tremendously helpful. From reviewing your files, I see no issue with your storage, testing setup, PCB design, humidity reference, or reflow profile. The only thing that stands out to me is your solder paste and cleaner:

    We recommend not using any board cleaners, and using only no-clean solder paste. I am having a hard time finding more details on these materials, but right now I suspect that these are the root cause of the RH errors you are seeing. Could you please provide the material safety datasheets (MSDS) of these two items, so that we may review them for potential sources of chemical contamination? Did you test any that did not use these materials?

    Thanks

    -Alex Thompson

  • Hello, Alex Thompson,

    We have attached the MSDS for the solder paste and cleaner used in each group for the reference.

    Group

    assembly Method

    Cleaner & Washing

    1

    hand soldering

    X

    2

    SMT

    O

    3-2

    SMT

    O

    3-1

    hand soldering

    X

    As shown in the table, both hand soldering and SMT assembly methods were used. Group 2 and Group 3-2 share the same assembly process and materials (solder paste and cleaner). During the cleaning process, the sensing area was carefully protected using Kapton tape to prevent any contamination, and only non-critical areas were cleaned.

    Despite these precautions, all sensors within the groups exhibited a positive offset in measurements, with Group 2 showing the most significant deviation. Based on this, we believe that the use of cleaner and the cleaning process itself are unlikely to be the direct cause of the measurement deviation.

    Although we attempted to apply a software correction based on the measured data, the existing positive offset and increasing trend in error make it difficult to compensate for saturation errors occurring above 95%RH.

    We would like to inquire if there is a way to calibrate the sensor independently or if it is possible to acquire measurement values beyond the 16-bit resolution. If higher data can be obtained, we believe it may be possible to implement a software-based self-calibration to address the issue of the positive offset.

    Best regards.

    jiho park.

    MSDS.zip

  • Hi Jiho,

    I would like to continue this thread over email. I just emailed you, I will close the thread.

    Thank you

    -Alex Thompson