The VCNT2030 reflective optical sensor by Vishay Semiconductors, is offered in a compact surface mount package measuring just 1.85 x 1.2 x 0.6mm.
The sensor is suitable for industrial, computer, consumer, and mobility applications. They save space, compared to previous generation sensor and deliver a higher current transfer ratio (CTR), increased sensing distance and lower power consumption, said the company.
The Vishay Semiconductors VCNT2030 features a VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) and a silicon phototransistor in the miniature package. It is compact in construction with the emitting light source and detector arranged in the same plane. It also offers excellent internal crosstalk suppression due to the VCSEL’s narrow ±17 degree emission angle, which also enables improved proximity performance behind cover glass. The VCNT2030’s analogue output signal at the phototransistor is dependent on the amount of light emitted by the VCSEL and reflected off an object in the sensor’s field of view. The device offers a sensing distance of 15mm, which is three times higher than the closest competing device on the market, claimed Vishay.
The compact footprint saves at least 40 per cent of PCB space compared to previous generation devices, said Vishay. As a result, the sensor saves space in optical switching applications in industrial infrastructure, home and building controls, notebook and desktop computers, home appliances, consumer electronics and metering applications. It can also be used in optical encoding for motor control in e-bikes, golf carts, tractors, and harvesters, as well as detecting paper presence in printers and scanners. In these applications the low 8mA driving current of the device’s VCSEL is sufficient to achieve the same performance as solutions using 20mA infrared emitters, which lowers power consumption.
The sensor offers a detection range of 0.3 to 6.0mm, an emitter wavelength of 940nm and a typical output current of 2.5mA, which represents a typical CTR of 31 per cent under test conditions. This value is more than 100 per cent higher than previous generation solutions and the closest competing sensor, said Vishay.
The VCNT2030 features a Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) of 3 for reflow soldering according to J-STD-020. It is RoHS-compliant and halogen-free.
Samples and production quantities of the VCNT2030 are available now, with lead times of eight to 16 weeks.
Components & Connectors
PIR motion sensors have wide and long detection ranges
PaPIRs are compact, long range, passive infra red motion sensors by Panasonic Industry. They are designed to ease the use of motion sensing in street lighting and aisle applications.
According to Panasonic Industry they are the world’s most compact long range PIR motion sensors and now include the Ultra Wide and the Long Distance Detection type which is able to be installed at heights up to 15 metres and with a maximum field of view of 91.6 x 45.4 degrees. These capabilities set new standards in terms of lens size, detection area and integration options, said Panasonic.
The small size possible with PIR technology contributes to the miniaturisation of motion detectors and the pyroelectric sensor elements are extremely sensitive explained the company. The lens diameter is only 32.6mm yet with a detection area of 30.9 x 12.6 meters at an installation height of 15 meters, the new Ultra Wide and Long Distance Detection Type can be used in high ceiling installations.
The configuration of the 188 detection zones enables detection of radial movement and minimises blind spots, added Panasonic. By precisely identifying human presence, the sensor provides accurate data for lighting control, resulting in not just optimal illumination but also significant energy savings.
The motion sensor is also easy to install and integrate into existing lighting systems, claimed Panasonic Industry. the design features both digital (open-drain output) and analogue (op amp output) interfaces. It also supports seamless integration with various lighting control protocols. The robust and UV-stabilised lens makes the sensor suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.
Panasonic Industry Europe is part of the global Panasonic Industry organisation, one of the five major operating companies within Panasonic Holding. Panasonic Industry Europe provides products and services for industrial customers all over Europe.
Panasonic Industry Europe serves customers in a broad range of industrial sectors such as mobility, infrastructure, automation, medical, appliances, smart living and security. Its broad and diverse product portfolio encompasses key electronic component sectors including electromechanical and passive components, batteries and other energy products, sensors and wireless connectivity modules, thermal management materials and custom solutions, as well as automation devices and solutions.
Camera kit integrates THine imaging into AI and IoT
The THEIA-CAM 13Mpixel PDAF [phase detection autofocus] camera kit by THine Solutions is designed to interface to OLogic’s Pumpkin i350 and Pumpkin i500 evaluation kits. The kit consists of the THSCP101THEIA-CAM camera, which provides high resolution image streaming. The Pumpkin evaluation kits are based on MediaTek’s Genio 350 and Genio 500 SoC, providing edge processing platforms for AI and IoT systems.
The THSCP101 kit is based on THine’s THP7312-P image signal processor (ISP) and Sony’s IMX258 13MP CMOS PDAF image sensor. It includes all items required to interface with the Pumpkin evaluation kits, including a camera board in an acrylic case, a flat flexible cable, an adapter board to support two MIPI CSI-2 ports on the Pumpkin and an available software driver to stream and control images.
The THEIA-CAM 13Mpixel PDAF camera kit’s optimised ISP firmware provides best in class image quality and quick autofocus using PDAF technology, said THine. The performance of each kit is repeatable ensuring it can be used in high volume production; the images parameters of each image sensor is characterised and calibrated to compensate for variation from sensor to sensor.
All the Linux files and reference circuit schematics are available to customers. Customers requiring other image performance features can access a GUI-based software development tool that customises the ISP firmware.
According to Thine, the THSCP101 accelerates MediaTek Genio platform customers’ time to market without expensive initial costs or additional effort for developing embedded camera systems.
Tak Iizuka, chief solution architect of THine Solutions, commented: “MediaTek customers can now just plug the THSCP101 to Pumpkin [evaluation kits] and then see the … image quality just in a few minutes.”
“It is quite a breakthrough for our solution offerings,” said Ted Larson, CEO of OLogic. “We saw many customers who struggled to integrate high resolution cameras. Despite many camera-related components available in the market, it was almost impossible for them to even perform decent colour tuning before going into production.”
Stéphane Le Provost, senior director of technology at MediaTek, added: “This kit makes it simpler for customers to include camera systems in their products without having to manage the long and expensive process of developing and producing them from scratch.”
The THSCP101 is available for purchase at OLogic’s online store and Digi-Key.
Radiometric thermal camera offers wider field of view
Believed to be the first radiometric thermal camera module with a 95 degree field of view, the Lepton 3.1R has 160 x 120 resolution and a scene dynamic range of up to 400 degrees C. Its wider field of view and scene temperature range enables people, fire and conditioning monitoring applications, said Teledyne FLIR.
The 3.1R model maintains the familiar compact and low power form factor of earlier Lepton thermal camera modules which are used in mobile, small electronics and uncrewed systems. The Lepton thermal micro camera module has been integrated into many devices, from ruggedised smartphones to drones. Mike Walters, vice president, product management at Teledyne FLIR, said: “Lepton 3.1R can now propel advancements in cost-saving and lifesaving unattended products ranging from early fire monitoring of critical machinery, electrical switchgear, and data centres to IoT products for smart factory, occupancy monitoring, smart homes, smart appliances, and even elderly care applications,” he said.
The Lepton 3.1R is a drop-in enhancement for existing Lepton-based products. It has the same visual object and space perception interface (VoSPI), inter-integrated circuit (I2C), and electrical and mechanical form and fit. It is claimed to have the lowest-cost focal plane array (FPA) -based thermal sensor on the market.
All Lepton modules include thermal sensitivity of less than 50mK for an uncooled micro thermal camera.
It also includes many proprietary technologies, including wafer-level detector packaging, wafer-scale microoptics, a custom ASIC and a low-cost, easy-to-integrate camera package. The Lepton family also includes integrated digital thermal image processing and radiometry, the ability to provide the temperature of every pixel in the scene.
To help reduce development costs and shorten time to market, users can take advantage of an online Lepton integration toolbox with application notes and source code for testing on Windows, Linux, Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone.
The Teledyne FLIR technical services team is available to support customers licensing MyFLIR application software and image-enhancing multi-spectral dynamic imaging (MSX) and Vivid-IR, helping customers reduce technical risk and maximise performance.
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