ScioSense has introduced the UFC23, its fourth-generation ultrasonic flow converter designed for advanced smart metering applications requiring ultra-low power consumption and highly accurate flow measurement capabilities. The new semiconductor-based sensor platform has been developed for water, heat, and gas metering systems, enabling manufacturers to improve measurement precision while extending battery life in next-generation smart utility infrastructure.
Headquartered in Eindhoven, ScioSense said the UFC23 has been engineered to support modern smart meter architectures where flow calculation is increasingly managed by central host microcontrollers. The new converter adopts a pure front-end architecture without an integrated CPU, giving manufacturers greater flexibility in system design and software integration.
The UFC23 is designed for high-end battery-powered applications where accurate low-flow measurement and energy efficiency are both critical requirements. In a typical DN15 water meter configuration, the sensor delivers a single-shot standard deviation of 35 picoseconds and offset stability of ±7 picoseconds with 128-sample averaging. The system also maintains drift levels below 10 picoseconds across temperatures ranging from 0°C to 50°C.
ScioSense stated that the converter supports precision levels suitable for advanced R1000-class water meter applications while maintaining extremely low power consumption. The UFC23 operates with a standby current of approximately 0.8 microamperes and an operating current as low as 6.6 microamperes at an 8Hz sample rate.
The converter integrates ultrasonic transducer driving, signal capture, and high-precision time-of-flight data extraction capabilities. It supports both single-ended drive configurations for water applications and full-bridge drive systems for gas metering applications.
Additional features include a programmable gain amplifier with enhanced bandwidth, extended pulse-width measurement for improved signal detection, amplitude monitoring for received ultrasonic waves, and batch measurement capability allowing multiple measurement bundles before activating the host controller. These features help improve overall system efficiency and reduce power consumption in smart metering deployments.
The UFC23 also supports external platinum temperature sensors used in heat meters and hot-water systems, enabling broader deployment across utility infrastructure products. Norbert Breyer said the UFC23 addresses increasing market demand for highly accurate and energy-efficient ultrasonic flow converters compatible with modern smart meter system architectures.
The sensor is suitable for applications including smart water meters, heat meters, gas meters, pump control systems, smart faucets, and water heating equipment. ScioSense stated that manufacturers can use the same sensor platform across multiple product families, simplifying development and improving scalability. The UFC23 supports operating voltages from 2.5V to 3.6V and operates across a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. Samples and evaluation kits are now available through distribution partners globally.
ScioSense’s portfolio of environmental and ultrasonic flow sensors caters to demanding sectors such as automotive, industrial, building automation, and consumer electronics. With a focus on compact, low-power, high-performance solutions, ScioSense continues to help customers create smarter, more efficient, and sustainable products.
