Miniature pyranometer with asteroid shape thermopile

We have designed and fabricated a miniature pyranometer with a novel asteroid shape thermopile. Comparing with existing pyranometer, the size of our miniature pyranometer has been reduced to 8mm×4mm×0.5mm, and much metal material has been saved in our pyranometer. Test results of this pyranometer show: (a). the output of this pyranometer is proportional to input illuminance. (b). the resolution of this pyranometer with a pre-amplifier is 0.191mV/10⁵Lux. (c). As the maximum illuminance of sunshine is about 100,000Lux, the sensitivity of this fabricated pyranometer is receptible. The further test and improvement such as the reliability test of the sensor and the optimum design of material and structure of the sensor will be performed in the next work in the future.