It seems that every day there’s always something interesting coming off the line at ams and today is no different. Case in point, the AS72651, AS7652, and AS7653 sensor ICs form a chipset that provides a full-spectrum, 18-channel visible and near-infrared solution for consumer and industrial spectral analysis applications. According to the company, the cost-effective chipset opens the door to a wide range of unique spectral sensing applications, such as horticulture, fluid quality/spectral component analysis, and anti-counterfeiting and authentication.
The AS7265x chipset consists of three integrated, six-channel sensor devices, each measuring 4.5 mm x 4.4 mm x 2.5 mm in land-grid array (LGA) packages with integrated apertures. To simplify system integration, the master-slave-slave architecture appears as a single logical device while the 18-channels span wavelengths from 410 nm to 940 nm with 20-nm filter widths.
Notably, this is the first multichip set from ams to incorporate nano-optical interference filters deposited directly on the CMOS silicon die cost-effectively enough to open new application opportunities. Interference filter technology delivers precise and repeatable filter characteristics, which are stable over both time and temperature and are much smaller than the typical component solutions necessary for higher channel count spectral analysis instruments.
The AS72651/652/653 chipset is calibrated at the factory, delivering a normalized 35 counts/µW/cm2 across the entire sensed spectrum, simplifying algorithm development and eliminating the need in many applications for end device calibration. Combined with the high filter stability over time and temperature, this allows for a “calibrated-for-life” design that lowers both components and manufacturing costs.
The chipset is implemented in a master/slave/slave arrangement, each with six spectral sensing channels. Integrated intelligence enables the calibrated digital output and manages the interface to the host microprocessor via the selectable choice of I2C or UART interfaces. The combined set’s 18 channels are 20-nm full-width-half-max, with wavelength center points at 410, 435, 460, 485, 510, 535, 560, 585, 610, 645, 680, 705, 730, 760, 810, 860, 900, and 940nm.
Other features of the chipset include electronic shutter capabilities with three independent 100-mA LED drive controls. The AS72651, AS72652 and AS72653 are in volume production now. Individual pricing is $4 each. A full set of three is $12 each/1,000. If you are ready to design and build, samples are available. For more specs and data, an AS7265x chipset datasheet is available for your learning pleasure.