Maxim Integrated Products will showcase the MAX44007/MAX44009, digital ambient-light sensor ICs featuring an adaptive-gain block at the Mobile World Congress 2011.
The devices incorporate two optical sensors, an ADC, and digital functions into a 2x2x0.6mm footprint. This makes them space efficient. The power efficient devices enhance battery life. They provide an interrupt feature that continuously measures and transmits the light to the central microcontroller as soon as limits are crossed. This saves more power by minimizing the frequency of I2C communications.
The devices are suited for tablet and notebook PCs, smart phones, televisions, digital lighting-management systems, and light-intensity control applications. They facilitate integration of two photodiodes with an optical filter to eliminate ultraviolet and infrared light. This allows the devices to simulate the optical response of the human eye and precisely determine visible light in numerous environmental conditions. Enhanced algorithms rectify any episodes of spectra fluctuations between light sources, making for a precise lux response.
The devices feature an adaptive-gain block that chooses the maximum gain range. This reduces time to market, and shifts work from microcontroller. The MAX44009 can measure light levels from 0.045 to 188,000lux, producing a range of more than 4,000,000 to 1. The devices are power efficient, have an operating current of 0.65µA and operate from 1.7 to 3.6V supply voltage. They use 1.1µW of operating power. They are suitable for space-constrained portable systems.
Source: http://www.maxim-ic.com/