Vishay Intertechnology Proximity and Ambient Light Sensor Offers Long-Distance Proximity Detection to 1 Meter

MALVERN, Pa., Sept. 26, 2016 -- The Optoelectronics group of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH) today introduced a new high-sensitivity proximity and ambient light sensor with long-distance proximity detection up to 1 m. Featuring Filtron™ technology in a compact 8 mm by 3 mm by 1.8 mm surface-mount package, the Vishay Semiconductors VCNL4100 combines a high-power IR emitter, photo detectors for proximity and ambient light, a signal processing IC, and an 8-bit / 16-bit ADC. The three-in-one sensor features an interrupt function and supports I²C bus communication interface for smart home, industrial, and office applications.

Offering a fivefold increase in proximity detection over previous-generation devices, the VCNL4100 provides presence detection for display activation in printers, copiers, and home appliances; collision avoidance in toys and robots; lighting control in offices, corridors, and public buildings; lavatory appliance activation; and vehicle occupancy detection in parking lots. Containing the circuitry needed for these applications in one device, the sensor eliminates the need for additional light barriers and optical alignment of the IR emitter and photo diode. The device’s small outline saves space and gives design engineers greater flexibility in where and how they locate the sensor.

The ambient light and proximity sensors of the VCNL4100 operate in a parallel structure, and each offers a programmable interrupt function with high and low thresholds that allow the sensor to wake up an application from a low-power mode, reducing the overall power consumption of an application. The device’s Filtron technology enables ambient light spectral sensitivity close to that of the human eye while offering excellent background light cancellation capabilities.

The VCNL4100’s built-in ambient light photo diode offers detection from 0.01 lx to 5.2 klx, allowing the device to operate in applications with dark or high-transparency lens designs. The 16-bit sensor offers fluorescent light flicker immunity and excellent temperature compensation from -40 °C to +85 °C. The VCNL4100’s 8-bit proximity sensor uses intelligent cancellation to eliminate cross-talk, while a smart persistence scheme ensures accurate sensing and faster response time. The emitter wavelength peaks at 940 nm and has no visible “red-tail.”

The device offers a supply voltage range of 2.5 V to 3.6 V and I²C bus voltage range from 1.8 V to 3.6 V. Offered in a lead (Pb)-free 10-pin molded package, the sensor is RoHS-compliant, halogen-free, and Vishay Green.

Samples and production quantities of the new VCNL4100 are available now, with lead times of eight to 12 weeks for large orders.

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Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, MOSFETs, and infrared optoelectronics) and passive electronic components (resistors, inductors, and capacitors). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, power supplies, and medical markets. Vishay’s product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and "one-stop shop" service have made it a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at www.vishay.com.

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Link to product datasheet:
http://www.vishay.com/ppg?84319 (VCNL4100)

Link to product photo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vishay/29012269084/sizes/l

For more information please contact:
Vishay Intertechnology
Peter Henrici, +1 408 567-8400
[email protected]  
or
Redpines
Bob Decker, +1 415 409-0233
[email protected]