Intersil has released the ISL76671, an automotive-qualified ambient light sensor developed to calculate incident light levels as low as 0.01 lux having a spectral response very close to the human eye.
The first automotive low light ambient light sensor, the ISL76671 is capable of operating in a temperatures ranging between -40°C and 105°C. This feature ensures consistent performance of the sensor and does not require any external temperature compensation. It offers a response time of 30 ms and features both infrared rejection and internal temperature compensation. The ambient light sensor can operate with a voltage supply from 1.8 to 3 V and an operating current less than 4 µA. Moreover, the voltage output of the sensor can be directly connected to an ADC with no need for buffering.
The quick response time of the ISL76671 responds to swiftly changing lighting conditions such as tunnels, shadows and headlamps and its light sensitivity is set by an external resistor. Its low light sensitivity makes it ideal for use at night. The sensor, available in an OFDN package measuring 2.1 X 2.1 mm, is ideal for detection of light behind plastic bezels and darkened glass in various control applications. Intersil designs and manufactures superior performance mixed-signal, analog and power management semiconductors. The products designed by the company are used in applications that include computing and communications.