Proximity and ambient light sensing IC
19 November 2014
Analogue, Mixed Signal, LSI
STMicroelectronics has revealed a highly accurate optical range finding module based on FlightSense Time-of-Flight technology, the same that is used by LG for its G3 smartphone’s laser auto-focus.
FlightSense provides accurate distance sensing by measuring the time for emitted light to reflect back from the target, whereas conventional sensors can only report reflected signal levels and not absolute distance. Compared to conventional infrared sensors, this results in longer measurement ranges that are independent of the target’s reflectivity, at high frame rate and low power.
ST’s VL6180X module combines FlightSense proximity sensing with an ambient light sensor (ALS) and supports basic gesture recognition to simplify the user interface design while also offering enhanced performance. It supports a wide range of creative use cases across multiple markets, including smartphones, tablets and game controllers, while also improving the performance of consumer appliances and industrial products.
The device is offered in a 4,8 x 2,8 x 1,0 mm optical LGA12 package and can accurately measure the distance to objects at up to 100 mm (or even farther, subject to operating conditions). It has an I²C interface for host control and reading ranging or ambient light level results, as well as two programmable GPIO pins that can be configured to implement threshold applications.
Designers can discover the possibilities of ST’s latest proximity sensor module using the VL6180X Explorer evaluation kit. This not only allows them to quickly get started with FlightSense technology, but also supports the development of applications in a real device.
The kit combines a USB-pluggable STM32Nucleo board and VL6180X sensor shield containing the sensor, a 4-digit LED display, and a slider switch to control the ranging and ALS functions. The display shows either the distance to the target or the ambient light level.
For more information contact Arnold Perumal, Avnet Kopp, +27 (0)11 319 8600, [email protected], www.avnet.co.za
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