Sharp Launches GP2AP020A00F Proximity Sensor

Sharp has designed a proximity sensor, integrated with an ambient light sensor, the new GP2AP020A00F. This sensor is perfect for mobile devices such as smartphones due to its ultra compact size (4.0 x 2.0 x 1.2 mm) and is also suitable for detection of extremely low light levels.

Smartphones and other mobile devices that are rapidly expanding are adopting touch panels for operations and hence need an ambient light sensor which would adjust the LCD screen’s brightness according to brightness of surroundings to aid users. The proximity sensor would help them to detect the presence of the user and automatically switch off the LCD screen and reduce power consumption.

The GP2AP020A00F combines both the light and the proximity sensor in one single unit. The light-receiving parts of the light sensor and the proximity sensor are incorporated in a single chip ensuring an extremely small package size. Its digital signal processing circuit having a high resolution helps to enhance light-receiving sensitivity and also increases the processing accuracy. It can also detect illuminance levels as low as 0.002 lux, as compared to previous 0.1 lux values.