Ams new AS7343 multichannel spectral sensor adds XYZ technology

     Ams further expands its spectral sensor portfolio with the launch of the new AS7343 multichannel spectral sensor. The sensor is the company's first product to combine multichannel color analysis with XYZ sensor technology to measure color and light intensity as seen by the human eye. Colorimeters, portable spectrometers, and consumer devices integrated with the AS7343 sensor will be "more powerful" in color matching, lighting control, spectral analysis, and other aspects, achieving "fast, accurate, stable" perception and measurement.

     The new multipurpose sensor is ideal for color analysis applications that require precision and frequent measurements. For example, for greenhouse growers and indoor farm operators, because the growth of different crops requires different visible light spectra, color analysis is needed to optimize the spectral properties of plant lighting to maximize yield and energy efficiency. "The AS7343 enables fast and accurate spectral measurements of light incident on the crop, and depending on the measurements, the lighting can be adjusted to match the light needs of each plant." Kevin Jensen, Senior marketing Manager, Optical Sensors Division, Amys OSram, explains.

     The 14-channel AS7343 chip is packaged in a flat package of 3.1mm x 2mm x 1mm. Like a spectrometer, the sensor measures the spectral power distribution of the light source or reflected light. The sensor has 12 equally spaced measurement channels in the visible spectrum, adjacent to a near infrared (NIR) channel, and has XYZ functionality. It differs from its predecessor AS7341 in that it combines a multichannel spectral sensor with XYZ technology. The XYZ channel is closely aligned with the CIE 1931 XYZ color space, which is the standard model for color perception by the human eye. The AS7343 is able to produce direct XYZ values, or color coordinates, giving the user the flexibility to perform full spectral analysis or a simple color scan.

     "With the AS7343, users can quickly scan color features of interest or take full-resolution measurements as needed. The multi-channel sensor can also correct the incorrect color matching of the human eye in case of the phenomenon of 'homochromatic spectrum' to achieve more accurate color reproduction." "Kevin Jensen said.

     The AS7343 can generate unique spectral features for any source and reflected light, and up to six channels can be used simultaneously for more elastic performance. The new product is four times more sensitive than its predecessor, the AS7341, enabling better color balance sensing and signal analysis across the spectrum, while automated ADC reconstruction also provides faster multichannel readings.

     In applications such as plant lighting, a single AS7343 sensor is often sufficient and can provide high-resolution measurements of spectral power distributions. If higher resolution is required, the filter response curves of two or more AS7343 sensors can be configured to partially overlap, thereby reducing the bandwidth of each channel and improving the measurement resolution. This technique can also be used with the AS7341. In addition, the AS7343 sensor can perform chromatographic analysis of liquids or materials, supporting horticultural planting applications such as the measurement of plant chlorophyll concentration.

     Another scenario of AS7343 is applied to smoke and heat alarms for the detection of smoke spectral characteristics. AS7343's spectral analysis enables smoke sensors to distinguish between different types of smoke that burn wood, plastic or water vapor.