Maxim MAX44000 optical sensor

Maxim has introduced the MAX44000, a digital ambient light and infrared proximity sensor that detects light like a human eye.

Designed using the company’s BiCMOS, the IC integrates three optical sensors, two ADCs and digital functionality into a 2 x 2 x 0.6 mm package.

Traditional light sensors are strongly influenced by ultraviolet (UV) and IR light, which are not perceptible by the human eye. Sensing this light leads to inaccurate ambient light readings. BiCMOS enables the integration of the two photodiodes and an optical filter to reject UV and IR light. This allows the sensor to replicate the optical response of the human eye in a variety of environments.

The device consumes just 5 µA when the ambient sensor is enabled and 7 µA when both the proximity sensor and ambient light sensor are activated making it suitable for touch screen applications, including smartphones, portable devices, industrial sensors and presence detection.