A demo kit has been designed by Vishay Intertechnology for its VCNL4000 fully integrated ambient light optical and proximity sensor.
The kit has a VCNL4000 PCB mounted sensor with USB interface and demo software to enable clients to test whether it would be suitable for their applications.
The solution incorporates an ambient light detector, an IR emitter, a signal processing IC, proximity photodiode, and an I2C bus communication interface into a single compact 3.95x3.95x 0.75mm leadless (LLP) package, which is surface-mounted.
Two interface panels are incorporated in the demonstration software for the proximity and the ambient light function respectively. The interface enables designers to change key performance parameters to observe the impact on their applications. Various window or housing materials can be tested to help determine sensitivity variations or sensor output.
The proximity function program helps alter the sampling rate, emitter current, output unit of measure and sampling mode. It features offset compensation and automatic noise, and provides two displays that show the full and active dynamic ranges of the sensor output.
The program for ambient light function features a sampling mode and a sampling rate that can be altered, an auto- adjustment for temperature fluctuations and two displays. The units used to quantify sensor output are counts and lux.
The software offers power efficient sensing for touch screen monitoring in devices including touch phones, PDAs, GPS units, smartphones and digital cameras. It may also be used as an integrated ambient light function to enable contrast monitoring and dimming of the keypad or display