IN Brief:
- UFM-G01 measures gas flow between 16 and 7,200l/h, with a stated turndown ratio of 450:1.
- The module combines ultrasonic sensing, pressure and temperature measurement, and a UART interface.
- ScioSense specifies class 1.5 accuracy compliance, typical annual consumption of 262mAh, and a service life of up to 15 years.
ScioSense has introduced the UFM-G01 ultrasonic gas flow measurement module for residential natural gas meters, integrating flow, temperature, and pressure sensing into a single electronic assembly.
The module is intended primarily for G4-class residential meters and supports volumetric flow measurement from 16 to 7,200 litres per hour. ScioSense specifies a 450:1 turndown ratio, a supply voltage range of 3.2V to 5.5V, and accuracy compliance with class 1.5 requirements under applicable gas metering standards.
UFM-G01 uses ultrasonic transit-time measurement rather than a rotating mechanical mechanism or a heated flow sensor. Its transducers send acoustic pulses through the gas in upstream and downstream directions, allowing the electronics to calculate flow velocity from the difference in transmission times.
The measurement principle depends on the relationship between sound propagation and gas movement. A pulse travelling with the flow reaches its destination sooner than a pulse travelling against it, with the difference providing information from which volumetric flow can be calculated using the geometry of the measurement section.
ScioSense positions the module as an alternative to conventional mechanical and thermal flow measurement technologies. Removing rotating measuring components eliminates a source of mechanical wear, while the ultrasonic arrangement introduces relatively little obstruction into the gas path.
The manufacturer specifies a pressure loss below 150Pa. Maintaining a low pressure drop is important in residential installations because metering equipment must not unnecessarily restrict the gas supply available to connected appliances.
Ultrasonic measurement also has particular operating considerations. Sound velocity varies with gas composition, temperature, and other physical properties, while acoustic propagation can be affected by the measurement geometry and the condition of the transducers.
The UFM-G01 incorporates temperature and pressure sensors to provide additional measurements alongside volumetric flow. Its available outputs include instantaneous flow, cumulative flow, gas temperature, gas pressure, and the speed of sound through the measured medium.
Pressure measurement covers 260hPa to 1,260hPa, with the module specified for operation between −20°C and +50°C. ScioSense identifies air and methane among the supported measurement gases, establishing the initial operating scope for the product.
The temperature and pressure measurements also support optional compensation functions. Correcting a volumetric measurement for different gas conditions requires appropriate calculation methods and system configuration, so the presence of the sensors does not independently establish every possible billing or metrological function.
Low power consumption is central to the module’s design. ScioSense specifies typical annual consumption of 262mAh, describing the battery capacity consumed over one year under its stated operating conditions rather than a continuous current rating.
The measurement pulse frequency can be changed through software to reduce consumption further. Less frequent ultrasonic measurements can lower the energy required for sensing and processing, although the resulting measurement interval must remain appropriate for the meter’s operating requirements.
Residential gas meters may need to operate for extended periods without battery replacement. ScioSense specifies a service life of up to 15 years for the module, reflecting the absence of rotating measuring components and the intended long-term stability of the ultrasonic system.
The service-life figure applies to the module under the manufacturer’s specified conditions. A complete meter must also account for battery capacity, communications equipment, environmental exposure, and the behaviour of its other electronic components over time.
The UFM-G01 can detect low gas flows, including a starting flow below 5 litres per hour. ScioSense identifies early detection of small leaks as a potential application, although practical leak-detection thresholds must account for normal consumption, measurement uncertainty, and the conditions within the installation.
Communication with the host controller uses a UART interface. The module therefore provides digitally processed measurement information to the surrounding meter electronics, reducing the need for the host to perform the ultrasonic measurement operation itself.
This division of functions allows the host controller to manage consumption records, communications, application logic, and other meter-level requirements while receiving flow and environmental data from the measurement module.
ScioSense also offers customisation of the measurement assembly for customer-specific requirements. Differences in pipe connections, meter housings, electrical interfaces, and operating environments may require changes beyond the standard module configuration.
Its published specification identifies compliance with OIML R137, EN 14236/MID class 1.5, and GB/T 39841/PA class 1.5 requirements. Meter manufacturers will still need to establish the complete equipment’s applicable certification and approval requirements for each intended market.
Additional possible applications include small commercial gas distribution systems, burners, and boilers. Suitability depends on the relevant flow rates, gas compatibility, environmental limits, and measurement accuracy requirements.
ScioSense will present the UFM-G01 at electronica 2026 in Munich from 10 to 13 November. The module’s stated operating range and integrated sensing functions provide a defined basis for engineering evaluation before it is incorporated into a finished gas metering product.
