Vishay introduces ambient light sensors specifically for wearables and smartphones

     Vishay has announced the launch of a new ambient light sensor, the VEML6035, from its optoelectronics division for compact applications such as smartwatches and sports bands, which require very high sensitivity due to the need to be able to detect light through often dark lenses. The Vishay Semiconductors VEML6035 integrates a high sensitivity photodiode, low noise amplifier and 16-bit ADC in a compact, transparent surface mount package of 2 mm x 2 mm x 0.4 mm. The sensor eliminates motherboard load with an activity interrupt function that can be activated by setting outside the threshold window.

     Vishay's patented Filtron wafer-scale filter technology achieves ambient spectral sensitivity close to that of the human eye. The sensor detects highly linear behavior from 0.004 lx to 6710 lx with resolutions as low as 0.0004 lx/ct, and can be used in applications with low visibility (dark) lenses. With a sensor height of just 0.4 mm, the sensor offers many new options for display management in extremely space-constrained designs. The VEML6035 can suppress 100 Hz and 120 Hz strobotic noise, and its excellent temperature compensation capability provides stability in the face of ambient temperature changes. The sensor consumes only 170 μA in operating mode and 0.5 μA in programmable off mode.

     The VEML6035's supply voltage and I²C bus voltage range from 1.7V to 3.6V, and the device is in a lead-free (Pb) 6-pin package that complies with RoHS and Vishay green standards and is halogen-free. Easily controlled by a simple I2C command, it can be used for dimming mobile device displays such as smartphones and wearables, as well as optical switches for a variety of consumer electronics, computing and industrial applications. The ultra-thin 0.4 mm thickness of the device provides a large number of design options for display management systems in space-constrained designs.