Photointerrupters Provide Edge and Position Detection in Printers, Scanners and ATM Machines

In inkjet printers and all-in-ones, optical encoders are used to indicate the position, direction and speed of the printhead, while photointerrupters can provide functions such as indicating whether there is paper in the print path. Other applications for this non-contact detection capability include card detection in ATM machines, bill detection in vending machines, and a wide variety of other edge and position detection applications such as door sensors.

Avago's entry into the photointerrupter market will provide customers with the added benefit of being able to purchase optical encoders and photointerrupters from a single source. The AEDS-9300 and AEDS-9310 are competitive in price and performance with photointerrupters available from other manufacturers. In addition to the standard products, Avago can provide high-volume customers with photointerrupters customized for slot width and mounting configuration.

Avago's photointerrupter series products consist of an infrared-emitting LED and a silicon phototransistor to detect the infrared light; both mounted in a molded plastic package and separated by a slot. When an opaque object, such as a piece of paper or metal or plastic fin enters the slot, its presence is detected by the interruption of the light path between the emitter and detector.

Avago's AEDS-9300 and 9310 photointerrupters feature a small lead-free and RoHS-compliant package, and are specified for operation over the -25 C to +85 C temperature range. The dimensions and electrical characteristics make them drop-in replacements for similar interrupters from other manufacturers.

· AEDS-9300 has a 2.7-mm slot in a 14.3 mm by 6 mm by 9.5 mm high package with horizontal mounting leads
· AEDS-9310 has a 5-mm slot in a 14 mm by 6 mm by 10 mm high package with vertical mounting leads .

Avago Technologies is reckoned to be the industry-leading supplier of motion control encoders. These products meet the stringent requirements of precise positioning and velocity sensing in a wide range of applications from printers, copiers and scanners to servo and stepper motors, and robotic arms and wafer-handling machines. Avago offers one-stop shopping with its extensive portfolio of optical encoders, decoders and controllers. The company offers the industry's smallest form factors, widest range of resolutions, and highest level of integration to reduce the number of components needed and shorten time-to-market. Avago's rich motion control heritage dates back to the 1980s and its Hewlett-Packard roots. More information is available at www.avagotech.com/motioncontrol.