Datasheet

Bosch Sensortec | BME680 Datasheet
21 | 50
Modifications reserved |Data subject not change without notice | Printed in Germany
Document number: BST-BME680-DS001-00 Revision_1.0_072017
4. Software and use cases
4.1 BSEC software
BME680 sensor is intended to be used together with Bosch Software Environmental Cluster (BSEC) solution and BME6xy
sensor API to unlock its full potential. The BSEC software features intelligent algorithms which enable use cases such as
indoor-air-quality monitoring using the BME680.
Bosch Sensortec BSEC software is available as a closed source binary which will be made available via a Software License
Agreement (SLA) on the Bosch Sensortec website (https://www.bosch-sensortec.com/bst/products/all_products/BSEC).
Sensor API covers basic sensor communication and data compensation functions and is available as open-source code from
Github (https://github.com/BoschSensortec/BME680_driver).
The key features of the hardware-software system are:
 Calculation of ambient air temperature outside of the device (e.g. phone)
 Calculation of ambient relative humidity outside of the device
 Calculation of indoor air quality (IAQ) level outside of the device
Moreover, the software algorithms handle humidity compensation, baseline as well as long-term drift correction of the gas
sensor signal.
Different power modes for the gas sensor and corresponding data rates are supported by the software solution:
 Ultra low power (ULP) mode that is designed for battery-powered and/or frequency-coupled devices over extended
periods of time. This mode features an update rate of 300 seconds and an average current consumption of <0.1 mA
 Low power (LP) mode that is designed for interactive applications where the indoor-air-quality is tracked and
observed at a higher update rate of 3 seconds with a current consumption of <1 mA
 Continuous (CONT) mode provides an update rate of 1 Hz and shall only be used for use cases that incorporate
very fast events or stimulus
Table 13: BSEC gas sensor power-modes
BSEC power mode
Update rate
Average current consumption
Ultra-low power mode (ULP)
3.3 mHz
0.09 mA
Low power mode (LP)
0.33 Hz
0.9 mA
Continuous mode (for testing purposes
only)
1 Hz
12 mA
BSEC is available in two main variants called solutions: IAQ and ALL solution.
IAQ solution is intended for customers wishing to measure indoor-air-quality, temperature, humidity, and pressure in
embedded devices. IAQ solution can be downloaded from the Bosch Sensortec website (https://www.bosch-
sensortec.com/bst/products/all_products/BSEC).
ALL solution contains the same features as IAQ solution but also includes more complex ambient temperature and humidity
estimation algorithms that will improve temperature and humidity performance in devices that contain many dynamic heat
sources in their design. Such devices are, for example, smartphones containing displays, flashlights, large batteries and
powerful microprocessors. As these advanced algorithms require tailoring to optimize them to a given customer design,
please contact your local Bosch Sensortec representative for support.
The following table describes the available outputs of BSEC. Full descriptions of the outputs and the available interfaces are
available in the integration guide shipped together with the BSEC software.