Vishay Intertechnology has released a new space-saving ambient light sensor VEML6035 for small form factor applications such as smart watches and sport bands where very high sensitivity is needed to allow light to be sensed through an often very dark cover glass. The VEML6035 ambient light sensor features a very high sensitive photo-diode, low-noise amplifier, and 16-bit ADC in a miniature low profile, transparent surface-mount package measuring only 2 mm x 2 mm x 0.4 mm. The device small size profile will help in many design options for display management in space-constrained designs. To eliminate loading on the host, the sensor uses an active interrupt function that is triggered outside the threshold window settings.
The VEML6035 sensor can be operated using I2C commands. The device will be an ideal solution for applications such as 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. The device features Filtron wafer-level optical filter technology which will enable ambient light spectral sensitivity close to that of the human eye. The device can operate in applications with low-transmittance (dark) lens designs since it features detection with highly linear behavior from 0.004 lx to 6710 lx and resolution down to 0.0004 lx/ct. The 100 Hz and 120 Hz flicker noise rejection and excellent temperature compensation helps it to maintain stability despite changes in ambient temperature.
The device has the working voltage and I2C bus voltage range from from 1.7 V to 3.6 V and comes in a lead (Pb)-free, 6-pin package. The device is RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, and Vishay Green with low power consumption down to just 170 μA in operating mode and 0.5 μA in programmable shutdown mode.
Samples and production quantities of the new VEML6035 ambient light sensor are available now, with lead times of 16 weeks for large orders.
