The Grove - Thermal Imaging Camera MLX90621 BAA is a compact, low-resolution infrared array sensor designed for accurate non-contact temperature detection. Equipped with a 16x4 pixel IR sensor array (MLX90621), this module captures thermal data across a wide temperature range of -40°C to 300°C with a field of view (FOV) of 60°×16°.
Thanks to the I2C Grove interface, this thermal camera enables quick integration with various microcontrollers (MCUs), making it an ideal solution for IoT devices, industrial monitoring, and smart control systems.
Key Features
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Compact 16x4 pixel IR thermal sensor array (MLX90621)
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Wide temperature measurement range: -40°C to 300°C
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Field of view (FOV): 60°×16°
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I2C Grove Interface for simple and efficient communication
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Fully calibrated IR array for convenient deployment
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Low power consumption (~18mA), perfect for battery-powered applications
How Thermal Imaging Works
All objects emit infrared radiation based on their temperature. The Grove Thermal Imaging Camera MLX90621 detects subtle differences in infrared emissions and converts them into electronic thermal images. Hotter objects emit more infrared radiation, which this sensor accurately captures, making it ideal for both visible and invisible heat detection in real-time applications.
Important Note
This module requires an MCU with over 20,000 bytes of RAM to handle thermal imaging data effectively. Basic development boards like Arduino UNO are not recommended due to limited computing capacity. For optimal performance, consider using powerful MCUs such as Arch Mix.
Application Scenarios
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High-precision non-contact temperature measurement
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HVAC system monitoring and control
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Movement and intrusion detection
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Industrial process monitoring
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Home automation and smart appliances
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Visual IR thermometers
Specification
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 16x4 pixels |
| Field of View (FOV) | 60°×16° |
| Measuring Range | -40°C to 300°C |
| Sensor Operating Temperature | -40°C to 85°C |
| Refresh Rate | 0.5Hz to 64Hz |
| Interface | I2C |
| Voltage | 3.3V–5V |
| Current Consumption | ~18mA |
Shipping List
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1 × Grove - Thermal Imaging Camera - MLX90621 BAA 16x4 IR Array with 60° FOV
What is Grove?
Grove is a modular, plug-and-play open-source system developed by Seeed Studio. It greatly simplifies the prototyping process by eliminating the need for soldering or jumper wires. With over 300 compatible Grove modules, developers can accelerate IoT and embedded system projects with standardized connectors and rich documentation.