Sensor demo boards cover ambient-light applications

The new SensorXplorer evaluation kit is based on a universal USB-to-I2C board for connecting individual sensor boards to a host PC. All software and connectors are included with the kit, which is backwards-compatible with existing SensorXplorer boards while also supporting the latest models. The comprehensive range of sensor boards available from RS supports the rich selection of sensors in Vishay’s portfolio.

The VCNL4020-SB supports the VCNL4020 sensor, which has similar proximity capability and adds an ambient-light sensor (ALS) with sensitivity close to that of the human eye, making it ideal for HMI management.

There is also a board dedicated to the VCNL4020C, a short-range proximity sensor for distances up to 20mm that can be used for bio-sensing applications such as heart-rate monitoring.

For mid-range proximity sensing, the VCNL4035X01-SB works at distances up to 500mm, and with added gesture sensing in the VCNL4035X01-GES-SB lets engineers develop even more intuitive user interfaces for next-generation projects.

Where fast response, high accuracy and low power are needed, the VCNL4040, supported by the VCNL4040-SB board, features intelligent cancellation to eliminate crosstalk, and implements smart persistence to combine high speed and accuracy.

The VCNL4040 also features Vishay’s patented Filtron technology for near-human spectral sensitivity to ambient light, with integrated background-light cancellation to offload the host microcontroller.

The VCNL4200-SB aids development with the VCNL4200, which combines a high-sensitivity proximity sensor with extended range up to 1.5 metres, and an ambient-light sensor with Filtron technology for lifelike response.

Three further sensor boards complete the latest SensorXplorer range. These include the VEML6030-SB for the VEML6030 digital ALS and the VEML6040-SB, which contains a VEML6040 multi-wavelength (RGBW) colour sensor for optimising both the brightness and colour temperature of display backlights for comfortable viewing.

Finally, the VEML6075-SB accelerates development with the VEML6075, an innovative sensor that works in both the UV-A (365 nm peak) and UV-B (330 nm peak) to provide a digital measure of UV intensity. VEML6070-SB (355 nm peak) can be used to evaluate for UVA-only applications.

Apart from the sensor boards, RS has two more innovative Vishay optical sensing options for engineers, including the TCUT1630X01 three-channel slotted interrupter.

With one infrared emitter and two optical receivers in the usual alignment for transmissive sensing, the TCUT1630X01 has a third receiver in a separate plane to enable "turn and push" encoding, or for detecting an additional indexing tab on a codewheel.

The sensor is AEC-Q101 qualified for automotive applications and can be used in a wide variety of push/turn control knobs for in-car, industrial, medical, or consumer electronics applications.

Completing the Vishay optical-sensing portfolio now available at RS, the TCTUT1800X01 is a quad-channel slotted sensor for absolute and incremental encoding.