ams launches chip to accelerate development and adoption of ultrasonic water meters

Premstaetten, Switzerland – ams AG (SIX: AMS), a leading worldwide supplier of high performance sensor solutions, today announced the launch of a chip that provides a comprehensive hardware and software blueprint for ultrasonic flow sensors. The TDC-GP30 is a key component for the next generation of water meters that require long service life and low power consumption. It is designed to meet the growing demand for ultrasonic water meters in Europe and around the world. 

The penetration rate of ultrasonic water meters in the European market is expected to grow rapidly in the next three years. Compared with traditional mechanical water meters, ultrasonic water meters are more durable, more reliable, consume less power, and can measure slow-flowing water ten times more accurately. 

The TDC-GP30 can precisely measure time and accurately calculate flow based on the transmission time of ultrasonic signals in flowing water. iChem Electronics, a leading manufacturer in China’s metering equipment field, has developed the IA-UWM-2-GP30-DN20 module based on the ams TDC-GP30 ultrasonic flow sensor chip. The IA-UWM-2-GP30-DN20 ultrasonic flow sensor unit consists of an ultrasonic sensor and a section of pipe groove, which is firmly assembled with the TDC-GP30. The release of this module, a calibrated, off-the-shelf ultrasonic sensing unit with proven flow measurement performance, eliminates the need for meter manufacturers to develop their own ultrasonic sensor technology, shortening the time to market for new ultrasonic water meter products.

The IA-UWM-2-GP30-DN20 ultrasonic flow sensor module from iSeries is available now from authorized distributors.