Ambient light sensor aids wearable devices

21st November 2016

Enaie Azambuja

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EVERLIGHT ELECTRONICS introduces the ALS-PD50-42C. The new ambient light sensor operates at a 550nm and has a very low signal calculation failure rate and a high current efficiency. An ideal application for this device is heart rate signal detection in wearable electronics for the health and fitness industry. With the increasing demand for health-awareness, more and more people manage their health and progress through their own daily activities.

Advanced technology plays an important role in the growing market for fitness and wellbeing. Currently these advanced sensors are the most innovative and a convenient way to measure one’s heart rates.

Based on the principle of PPG (photoplethysmogram), the heart rate signal is calculated according to the current changes in transmission and reflection between the green light LED and the sensor to detect the systolic and diastolic blood vessels.

With a large detection area of 8.1mm2, the signal strength of EVERLIGHT’s advanced ambient light sensor ALS-PD50-42C is strong and reliable. This bigger than usual sensing area can also improve the capabilities in instances when there are signal interferences caused by people’s skin color, tattoos and hair on the skin.

This feature allows for accurate and reliable detection for the wearable heart rate technology. Ideally, this technology is a benefit for runners who rely on accurate wearable devices.

EVERLIGHT’s ALS-PD50-42C series features a very efficient current transmission. A current signal output of 0.8 μA at a light current of 100 Lux from a white LED (Vr = 5V) improves detection on capillaries resulting in overall accurate signal strength.

The device's coating design effectively reduces the interference from UV light below 400nm and infrared light above 650nm, thereby decreasing the effect of strong sunlight from outdoor exercise to ensure accurate measurements.

The ALS can be operated within a supply voltage range from 0 to 5V in a temperature range from -25°C up to +85°C. This device is rated to be RoHS compliant, Pb-free and halogen-free. EVERLIGHT’s ALS-PD50-42C series is a simple and convenient way to obtain heart rate information. This technology is perfectly suited for wearable applications for the fitness industry.

EVERLIGHT will continue to focus on their customers’ demands and is always on a quest for innovation and technological breakthrough to provide a one-stop optoelectronics solutions for all industries.