MILPITAS, CA /MARKET WIRE/ -- Intersil Corp., a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors, introduced two light-to-digital sensors. The ISL29001 and ISL29002 sense visible light (380 nm to 770 nm) and convert light intensity to an easy-to-use 15-bit, I2C standard digital output signal.
These new devices integrate a current amplifier, a 50 Hz/60 Hz rejection filter to eliminate artificial light flicker, and a 15-bit ADC (analog-to-digital converter). The integrated light-to-digital sensors achieve peak sensitivity close to that of the human eye with low power consumption, improving battery life and panel visibility in backlight control applications.
"Intersil's ISL29001/2 light-to-digital sensors are a perfect fit in applications where performance, flexibility, and small size are critical," said Oleg Steciw, marketing manager for Intersil's display products group. "These devices are fully integrated to give customers a one-chip solution that converts light intensity to a 15-bit, I2C digital output signal that can be fed directly into a controller for backlight control in portable applications."
Analog Light Sensing with Digital Ease-of-Use
Intersil's ISL29001 operates in the 0.3–10,000 lux range, and the ISL29002 operates in the 1.0–100,000 lux range. The spectral wavelength sensitivity of these devices is closely matched to that of the human eye (550 nm peak response). The efficient ISL29001 and ISL29002 also feature a power-down mode for further power savings. These devices automatically compensate for die temperature by using Intersil's two-diode design architecture. The ISL29001 comes in a space-saving 2.0 mm by 2.1 mm lead-free package and has a wide operating temperature range (–40°C to 85°C). The ISL29002 comes in an 8-lead, 3.0 mm by 3.0 mm (0°C to 70°C) package and has three address-selection pins that allow up to eight sensors on a single I2C bus line.
Key Features
- Human eye response (peak sensitivity at 550 nm)
- Temperature compensated
- 15-bit effective output resolution
- I2C interface
- 2.5–3.3V supply and supports 5 V I2C bus
- Three I2C address selection pins on the ISL29002 and allows for up to eight light sensors on a single I2C bus line
- Adjustable resolution: 3–15 counts per lux on the ISL29001; 0.15–1.65 counts per lux on the ISL29002
- Simple output code, directly proportional to lux
- 0.3–10,000 lux range on the ISL29001
- 1–100,000 lux range on the ISL29002
- 50 Hz/60 Hz rejection to eliminate artificial light flicker
- –40°C to 85°C operating temperature range on the ISL29001
- 0°C–70°C on the ISL29002
- Pb-free plus anneal packaging (RoHS compliant)
Target Applications
- Flat-panel backlight control
- Keyboard backlight control
- Medical and industrial sensing
- Digital and still cameras
- Intrusion detection
- Lighting controls
About Intersil's Ambient Light Sensors
Intersil's portfolio of light-to-analog and light-to-digital sensors provides the ideal method for monitoring ambient light for brightness control in computing and handheld devices. Intersil's integrated IC light sensors have superior sensitivity and power consumption when compared with traditional stand-alone photodiodes, photoresistors, and phototransistors. The devices can be used for power-saving control or in any application that requires backlight control, including mobile phones, PDAs, notebook computers, monitors, flat panel TV displays, keyboard backlighting, automotive cluster gauges, automotive panel displays, Web pads, and both video and still cameras. All of Intersil's light sensors are compensated for drift over time and temperature, and in addition to brightness control can be used for motion sensing, intrusion detection, and various other industrial and medical sensing applications, such as oximeters and blood glucose systems. To learn more, visit Intersil's Display ICs page.
Pricing and Availability
The ISL29001 is available now in a 6-lead DFN package and is priced at $1.30. The ISL29002 is available now in an 8-lead DFN package and is priced at $1.39. Both prices are in 1000-unit quantities. More information on the ISL29001 is available on the company's Web site. Additional information on the ISL29002 is also available on the company's Web site.
A large selection of amplifier products is supported by Intersil's iSim online design tool. To explore these solutions, visit the company's Web site. To view a broad range of application block diagrams, visit the Application Design Center on Intersil's Web site.
About Intersil
Intersil Corp. is a leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors. The company's products address some of the industry's fastest growing markets, such as flat panel displays , cell phones, handheld products, and notebook computing. Intersil's product families address both power management and analog signal processing functions. Intersil products include ICs for battery management; hot-swap and hot-plug controllers; linear regulators; supervisory ICs; switching DC/DC regulators; power MOSFET drivers; optical storage laser diode drivers; DSL line drivers; video and high-performance operational amplifiers; data converters; interface ICs; analog switches and multiplexers ; crosspoint switches; voice-over-IP devices; and ICs for military, space, and radiation-hardened applications. For more information about Intersil or to find out how to become a member of our winning team, visit the company's Web site and career page. iSim is a trademark of Intersil Americas Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.