Proximity and light sensor has four slave address options
The optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology, has introduced an integrated, automotive-grade proximity and ambient light sensor with four different slave address options.
The VCNL4020X01 sensors use Filtron technology which enables ambient light spectral sensitivity close to that of the human eye while offering excellent background light cancellation capabilities, says Vishay Semiconductors. The sensors combine photo detectors for proximity and ambient light, a signal conditioning IC, a 16-bit ADC, and a high power IRED in a compact surface mount package, measuring 4.0 x 2.36 x 0.75mm. The AEC-Q101 qualified sensor has an interrupt function and supports I²C bus communication interface for mobile devices and smart home, industrial, and automotive applications.
The sensor can save power by providing proximity sensing for touchscreen locking in smartphones and tablets and active displays in notebooks, automobiles, and consumer and industrial via presence detection. It can also be used for dimming control in displays, keypads, and rearview mirrors, using ambient light sensing and can also be used in toys or robots for collision avoidance. For all of these applications, the circuitry needed is in the single package sensor, which saves PCB. There are four slave address options to provide greater design flexibility in those applications requiring more than one sensor.
The VCNL4020X01 sensors include a programmable interrupt function, which allows both high and low thresholds to be set to reduce the overall power consumption within an application. This function can be programmed to trigger both the ambient light and proximity sensor.
The VCNL4030X01’s built-in ambient light photodiode offers detection from 0.004 lx to 4.2 klx, allowing the device to operate in applications with dark or high transparency lens designs.
The sensor is accurate to ± 10 per cent and has fluorescent light flicker immunity and temperature compensation from -40 to +105 degrees C. The VCNL4030X01’s proximity sensor uses intelligent cancellation to eliminate cross-talk, and its smart persistence scheme ensures fast response time and accuracy when an object is detected, claims Vishay. High sensitivity allows for high object detection distances up to 300mm. The emitter wavelength peaks at 940nm and has no visible “red-tail.”
Supply voltage range is 2.5 to 3.6V and the I²C bus voltage range is from 1.8 to 5.0V. Offered in a lead (Pb)-free 8-pin QFN package, the sensor is RoHS-compliant and halogen-free.