Gas sensors

XENSIV™ gas sensors for CO₂, H₂, and refrigerant leak detection

Overview

XENSIV™ gas sensors provide reliable H₂ gas detection in automotive and industrial applications, including FCEVs, H₂ combustion engines, H₂ refueling stations, BEVs, ESS and stationary fuel cells.As the industry shifts toward eco-friendly cooling, managing mildly flammable A2L refrigerant is critical. XENSIV™ refrigerant sensor provides the foundation for a robust leak detection system, ensuring your HVAC system meets strict safety standards.

Key Features

  • FuSa: QM to ASIL B capable
  • Fast response time
  • Robust, proven packages
  • Autonomous operation for power saving
  • AEC-Q100 qualified up to 105°C
  • Ultra-low current consumption
  • 15-year lifetime with low drift
  • Built-in self-test features
  • I²C interface

Products

About

Thermal conductivity (TC) and hydrogen gas detection

Infineon’s XENSIV™ TCI and TCI-B hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors operate on the principle of thermal conductivity and employ a fully differential MEMS sensor concept. Thermal conductivity is measured by heating parts of the MEMS structure and analyzing heat transfer through the gas. The target gas concentration is determined based on changes in the gas composition, which affect heat transport and, consequently, the MEMS sensor response.

Thermal conductivity sensing offers excellent robustness and stability for demanding automotive applications. Unlike metal-oxide-based (MOX) sensors and catalytic combustion (CC) sensors, thermal conductivity (TC) gas sensors do not rely on a chemical reaction but use a physical measurement principle. As a result, TC-based gas sensors are immune to poisoning and avoid the high offset drift commonly associated with chemical sensors.

Comprehensive safety with A2L refrigerant leak detection

Transitioning to low-GWP alternatives such as A2L refrigerants introduces new safety requirements that call for reliable leak monitoring. Infineon’s XENSIV™ TCI-R A2L refrigerant sensor enables responsive leak detection systems that can trigger mitigation measures, such as activating ventilation fans, to help prevent hazardous refrigerant concentrations.

Based on the thermal conductivity principle, the XENSIV™ TCI-R provides reliable A2L refrigerant detection for demanding HVAC and automotive applications. Its ultra-low power consumption and fast response time make it well suited for continuous monitoring in applications ranging from residential heat pumps and commercial chillers to vehicle air-conditioning systems.

The XENSIV™ TCI-R supports a broad range of A2L refrigerants used in residential, commercial, and automotive systems, including R32, R454A, R454B, R454C, R455A, and R1234yf. As a key component of a Refrigerant Detection System (RDS), it enables reliable leak detection and supports the transition to low-GWP refrigerant technologies.

Technology for reliable leak detection and global market compliance

At the heart of our A2L refrigerant sensor family is advanced thermal conductivity technology. Infineon’s XENSIV™ refrigerant sensors combine the thermal conductivity principle with a differential MEMS sensor design based on a Wheatstone bridge. By heating parts of the MEMS structure and measuring heat transfer through the gas, the sensors enable reliable and stable refrigerant leak detection.

Unlike sensing technologies that rely on chemical reactions, thermal conductivity sensing is highly resistant to poisoning and provides long-term stability with low drift. This robustness helps maintain reliable leak detection over the sensor lifetime while reducing maintenance requirements.

Meeting global safety requirements is an important consideration when designing systems using A2L refrigerants. The XENSIV™ refrigerant sensors are designed to support compliance with relevant safety requirements. UL-recognized components can help simplify system qualification and support faster time to market.

Gas sensing for automotive applications

Infineon’s XENSIV™ hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors are reliable and robust automotive-grade solutions designed to support functional safety requirements according to ISO 26262, from QM up to ASIL B. They support operating temperatures of up to 105°C and offer a lifetime of up to 15 years.

Key applications include:

  • Hydrogen leak detection in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) 
  • Battery thermal runaway detection in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) 
  • Battery water intrusion sensing and early detection of battery damage, such as electrolyte leakage 
  • Hydrogen leak detection and crankcase leakage detection in hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles

Gas sensing for industrial and commercial applications

In the hydrogen fuel ecosystem, thermal conductivity gas sensors play an important role in the safe and efficient production, storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen. By enabling real-time monitoring of hydrogen concentrations, XENSIV™ hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors support reliable leak detection and help reduce the risk of hazardous hydrogen accumulation. They can also help detect hydrogen losses across the value chain.

Key applications include:

  • Electrolyzers and steam methane reforming plants
  • Stationary fuel cell systems
  • Hydrogen storage and transportation
  • H₂ refueling stations
  • Energy storage systems (ESS), where H₂ outgassing can provide an early indication of battery thermal runaway

Explore our gas sensor webinars 

Explore webinars covering gas sensor applications, use cases, and value propositions. Discover how gas sensors address specific requirements across automotive, commercial, and industrial applications, and learn how their features and capabilities support system performance, efficiency, safety, and reliability. From gas sensor fundamentals to practical implementation in real-world applications, our webinars cover a wide range of topics and provide insights into the latest developments in gas sensing technology.

Thermal conductivity-based H₂ sensor applications
XENSIV™ sensor for A2L leakage detection in HVAC
Sensors for early thermal runaway detection in BMS

Thermal conductivity (TC) and hydrogen gas detection

Infineon’s XENSIV™ TCI and TCI-B hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors operate on the principle of thermal conductivity and employ a fully differential MEMS sensor concept. Thermal conductivity is measured by heating parts of the MEMS structure and analyzing heat transfer through the gas. The target gas concentration is determined based on changes in the gas composition, which affect heat transport and, consequently, the MEMS sensor response.

Thermal conductivity sensing offers excellent robustness and stability for demanding automotive applications. Unlike metal-oxide-based (MOX) sensors and catalytic combustion (CC) sensors, thermal conductivity (TC) gas sensors do not rely on a chemical reaction but use a physical measurement principle. As a result, TC-based gas sensors are immune to poisoning and avoid the high offset drift commonly associated with chemical sensors.

Comprehensive safety with A2L refrigerant leak detection

Transitioning to low-GWP alternatives such as A2L refrigerants introduces new safety requirements that call for reliable leak monitoring. Infineon’s XENSIV™ TCI-R A2L refrigerant sensor enables responsive leak detection systems that can trigger mitigation measures, such as activating ventilation fans, to help prevent hazardous refrigerant concentrations.

Based on the thermal conductivity principle, the XENSIV™ TCI-R provides reliable A2L refrigerant detection for demanding HVAC and automotive applications. Its ultra-low power consumption and fast response time make it well suited for continuous monitoring in applications ranging from residential heat pumps and commercial chillers to vehicle air-conditioning systems.

The XENSIV™ TCI-R supports a broad range of A2L refrigerants used in residential, commercial, and automotive systems, including R32, R454A, R454B, R454C, R455A, and R1234yf. As a key component of a Refrigerant Detection System (RDS), it enables reliable leak detection and supports the transition to low-GWP refrigerant technologies.

Technology for reliable leak detection and global market compliance

At the heart of our A2L refrigerant sensor family is advanced thermal conductivity technology. Infineon’s XENSIV™ refrigerant sensors combine the thermal conductivity principle with a differential MEMS sensor design based on a Wheatstone bridge. By heating parts of the MEMS structure and measuring heat transfer through the gas, the sensors enable reliable and stable refrigerant leak detection.

Unlike sensing technologies that rely on chemical reactions, thermal conductivity sensing is highly resistant to poisoning and provides long-term stability with low drift. This robustness helps maintain reliable leak detection over the sensor lifetime while reducing maintenance requirements.

Meeting global safety requirements is an important consideration when designing systems using A2L refrigerants. The XENSIV™ refrigerant sensors are designed to support compliance with relevant safety requirements. UL-recognized components can help simplify system qualification and support faster time to market.

Gas sensing for automotive applications

Infineon’s XENSIV™ hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors are reliable and robust automotive-grade solutions designed to support functional safety requirements according to ISO 26262, from QM up to ASIL B. They support operating temperatures of up to 105°C and offer a lifetime of up to 15 years.

Key applications include:

  • Hydrogen leak detection in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) 
  • Battery thermal runaway detection in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) 
  • Battery water intrusion sensing and early detection of battery damage, such as electrolyte leakage 
  • Hydrogen leak detection and crankcase leakage detection in hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles

Gas sensing for industrial and commercial applications

In the hydrogen fuel ecosystem, thermal conductivity gas sensors play an important role in the safe and efficient production, storage, transportation, and use of hydrogen. By enabling real-time monitoring of hydrogen concentrations, XENSIV™ hydrogen (H₂) gas sensors support reliable leak detection and help reduce the risk of hazardous hydrogen accumulation. They can also help detect hydrogen losses across the value chain.

Key applications include:

  • Electrolyzers and steam methane reforming plants
  • Stationary fuel cell systems
  • Hydrogen storage and transportation
  • H₂ refueling stations
  • Energy storage systems (ESS), where H₂ outgassing can provide an early indication of battery thermal runaway

Explore our gas sensor webinars 

Explore webinars covering gas sensor applications, use cases, and value propositions. Discover how gas sensors address specific requirements across automotive, commercial, and industrial applications, and learn how their features and capabilities support system performance, efficiency, safety, and reliability. From gas sensor fundamentals to practical implementation in real-world applications, our webinars cover a wide range of topics and provide insights into the latest developments in gas sensing technology.

Thermal conductivity-based H₂ sensor applications
XENSIV™ sensor for A2L leakage detection in HVAC
Sensors for early thermal runaway detection in BMS
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