MARCH 20--Avago Technologies (San Jose, CA; www.avagotech.com) has developed a CMOS digital color sensor that can be directly interfaced to a microcontroller without the need for additional components. The new color sensor is supplied in a 20-pin quad flat no-lead (QFN) package, measuring 5 x 5 x 0.75 mm, and operating from a 2.6-V supply voltage.
The Avago ADJD-S313-QR999 digital color sensor is interfaced to the system microcontroller via the sensor's two-wire serial interface. The sensor can be used in conjunction with a white LED for reflective color measurement. Other applications include color measurement in portable medical instruments and color detectors and readers.
The standard two-wire serial interface and integrated ADC translates into simpler interfacing combined and flexible optical-to-electrical signal conversion. The color sensor's architecture comprises integrated RGB filters built on a uniformly distributed photodiode array, a logic control core and a gain selector with an ADC that supports digital communication. The uniform RGB filters and photodiode array minimize the effect of light-gradients caused by optical misalignment and irregularity of surfaces.
The sensor can be used in applications with different light levels by adjusting the gain setting. The integrated ADC helps remove unwanted noise caused by analog signal preconditioning. Additional features include a selectable sleep mode to minimize current consumption when the sensor is not in use and operation over the 0°C to +70°C temperature range.
