Light sensor/proximity sensor from Intersil uses up to five times less board space and six times less current

The high integration and ultra-small size (2mm x 2.1mm) of the ISL29015 mean that designers can reduce the required footprint of a proximity sensing solution by a factor of five times versus current discrete solutions. In addition, the ODFN packaging of the ISL29015 is fully transparent, allowing for accurate, uncontaminated reading of ambient light.

The ISL29015 is also extremely power-conscious. When actually sensing ambient light for brightness control and infrared for proximity, the device typically requires a supply current of only 50 microamps. This is up to six times less supply current than needed by other light sensing solutions.

The ISL29015 is the first in a series of Intersil products that will include both an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor.