Vishay Intertechnology VCNL4010 optical sensor

Vishay Intertechnology has broadened its optoelectronics portfolio with the introduction of a fully integrated proximity and ambient light optical sensor featuring a power saving interrupt function.

The VCNL4010 combines an infrared emitter and photo-pin-diode for proximity, ambient light detection, signal processing IC and a 16-bit ADC in a leadless (LLP), surface-mount package. The device supports an I²C bus communication interface and simplifies window and sensor design in a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications.

The interrupt function enables the sensor to work independently until a predefined proximity or ambient light event occurs and then it wakes up the microcontroller.

For mobile devices, such as smartphones, touch phones, PDAs, GPS units and digital cameras, in addition to computing and industrial devices and displays, the sensor saves power as a proximity sensor for touchscreen locking and serves as an integrated ambient light function for display/keypad contrast control and dimming.

The sensor's 16-bit effective resolution for proximity detection ensures good cross talk immunity. While other products only achieve object detection up to 100 mm, the device's programmable LED drive current, from 10 to 200 mA (in 10 mA steps), allows distances up to 200 mm.

The built-in ambient light photo-pin-diode offers sensitivity close to that of the human eye, with a 16-bit dynamic range for ambient light detection from 0.25 lux to 16 klux. The sensor offers 100 Hz and 120 Hz flicker noise rejection.

Featuring low standby current consumption of 1.5 µA, the device offers a supply voltage range of 2.5 to 3.6 and I2C bus voltage range from 1.7 to 5 V.