Nowadays, the developments of systems related to the security and the monitoring of people are generally based on the use of mono-points pyrolectric commercial detectors. Those sensors, allowing the detection of an individual moving in the field, exhibit two main limitations: they are not capable to sense an immobile presence and they are unable to provide any extra information, such as the direction of motions and the estimation of distances. Our research work is related to the passive monitoring in the field of smart home applications. It aims at the development of new generations of infrared sensors. After studying the principal materials allowing infrared detection and taking into account the specifications established for our application, we have selected the thermopile thermoelectric technology as the sensor technological platform. According to the general recommendations concerning the "Top-down" design of the microsystems, we have carried out the analytical modeling of the overall infrared detection system before engaging the steps of design and realization. From this conceptual step, several structures (total of 180) in the shape of unit sensors, matrices and vehicles tests were fabricated. Finally, we have developed a specific automated testbench and correlated the experimental characterizations to the analytical model. The results obtained show the validity of the concepts implemented and make it possible to engage as of now the development of static presence detectors.
