Date: 17/04/2012
Ambient light sensor from Austriamicrosystems for intelligent daylight harvesting
Austriamicrosystems has introduced TSL4531 ambient light sensor device family which enables sophisticated daylight harvesting for intelligent lighting systems and luminaries.
The sensor family is developed by TAOS which was acquired by Austriamicrosystems. The device offers a wide sensitivity range from 3 lux to 220,000 lux. The device prevents saturation in direct sunlight while implementing a photopic response model that spectrally matches light perception in the human eye.
The TSL4531 ambient light sensor provides a simple, direct lux output and a 16-bit digital interface. The 50-60Hz ripple produced by the building's fluorescent lighting systems is rejected by the filters. This enables the sensed light levels to measure the daylight that is entering the building.
Kirk Laney, executive vice president and general manager of Optical Sensors and Lighting at Austriamicrosystems, said "This family of ambient light sensors has already proven itself in millions of mobile devices, displays, televisions, and automotive and medical applications across the globe. Now we are bringing these same capabilities to general lighting. The coming wave of Cognitive LightingTM will demand independent smart sensors that are 'environmentally aware' in order to provide not simply data, but answers. That is what the TSL4531 will deliver."
"This next wave of cognitive LightingTM systems will finally make use of the abundance of data available in the light and autonomously adjust the built environment to enhance comfort, productivity, safety and efficiency at the same time," said Sajol Ghoshal, Director of the sensor driven lighting business at Austriamicrosystems. "Intelligent sensors will rapidly be recognized as a key driver for all future lighting systems," he concluded.
Features of TSL4531 light sensor
ˇ Direct lux output
ˇ Approximates the human eye's spectral response in diverse lighting conditions
ˇ Three user-selectable integration times: 400 ms, 200 ms, 100 ms
ˇ Dynamic range: 3 lux to 220,000 lux
ˇ Low active current: 110ľA typical
ˇ Power down mode: 2.2ľA typical
ˇ 16-bit digital output compatible with I2C interface
ˇ 2mm x 2mm chip LED package
ˇ 2.5V supply voltage with 1.8V logic interface
The TSL4531 ambient light sensor IC is available now in volume production.
For more information on the device, visit www.austriamicrosystems.com and http://www.taosinc.com/
Austriamicrosystems is demonstrating the TSL4531 ambient light sensor at the Light+Building exhibition (light-building.messefrankfurt.com), 15-20 April, in Frankfurt, Germany. The Austriamicrosystems' booth is at hall 4.0, aisle #G81.