Wireless thermionic sensor package and methods of using

A sensor package comprising:

• a substrate;
• a package housing disposed on the substrate and at least partially defining a package chamber in which vacuum conditions are maintained;
• a thermionic sensor disposed in the package chamber;
• and
• a first wireless transmission device disposed on the substrate and configured to wirelessly transmit the sensor signal to an external device,
• wherein the thermionic sensor comprises:
• a sensor housing at least partially defining an emission chamber in which vacuum conditions are maintained, the emission chamber having opposing first and second surfaces;
• a cathode disposed in the emission chamber on the first surface;
• an anode disposed in the emission chamber on the first surface, and spaced apart from the cathode;
• and
• an electrically conductive layer disposed in the emission chamber on the second surface, facing the anode and cathode,
• wherein the thermionic sensor is configured to output a detection signal when the anode and cathode are at substantially the same temperature.