Ambient light sensor is sensitive for wearables and smartphones
In small form factor applications such as smart watches and sport bands where very high sensitivity is needed to allow light to be sensed through often very dark cover glass, the Optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology offers the VEML6035 ambient light sensor.
The Vishay Semiconductors VEML6035 has a sensitive photo-diode, low-noise amplifier, and 16-bit ADC in a miniature low profile, transparent surface-mount package which measures only 2.0 x 2.0 x 0.4mm. The sensor uses an active interrupt function that is triggered outside the threshold window settings to eliminate loading on the host.
Operated via simple I²C commands, the VEML6035 can be used for display dimming and brightening in mobile devices such as smartphones and wearables and as an optical switch in a wide range of consumer, computing, and industrial applications, explains Vishay. The devices’ slim 0.4mm profile opens up many design options for display management in space-constrained designs, adds the company.
Vishay claims that its patented Filtron wafer-level optical filter technology enables ambient light spectral sensitivity close to that of the human eye. The device offers detection with highly linear behaviour from 0.004 to 6710 lux and resolution down to 0.0004 lux/ct, allowing for operation in applications with low-transmittance (dark) lens designs.
The VEML6035 provides 100 and 120Hz flicker noise rejection and temperature compensation to maintain stability despite changes in ambient temperature. The device features low power consumption, down to just 170 microA in operating mode and 0.5 microA in programmable shutdown mode.
The VEML6035’s supply voltage and I²C bus range are both from 1.7 to 3.6V. Offered in a lead (Pb)-free, six-pin package, the device is RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, and Vishay Green.
Samples and production quantities of the new ambient light sensor are available now, with lead times of 16 weeks for large orders.
