ams AG (SIX: AMS), a leading provider of high performance analog ICs and
sensors, today announced the industry’s first integrated ambient light,
color (RGB) and proximity sensor that is optimized for operation behind
dark glass to drive intelligent display adaption in mobile devices.
The TMD3782 optical module is ideally suited for smartphones and
tablets. The sensor integrated in the TMD3782 provides ambient light
intensity (lux) and color measurement enabling mobile devices to
automatically adjust their display’s color and brightness for the best
viewing experience and power savings.
High-resolution displays are now standard features in mobile devices,
making it critical they provide accurate colors and brightness while
operating in a wide range of light sources, including fluorescent,
incandescent and sunlight. The TMD3782 on-chip filters minimize the
effects of ultra-violet and IR light and enable its photopic response
thus improving the overall accuracy of light and color sensing.
Enhancing the user’s viewing experience across a wide range of lighting
conditions offers mobile device manufacturers new means to draw
consumers to their brand. The TMD3782 is able to sense light in a
similar manner to the human eye, enabling more sophisticated control of
the display brightness and color. The combination of ambient light and
color sensing enables mobile devices to deliver more brilliant display
colors and a superior viewing experience in all lighting environments.
“The adoption of the TMD3782 by manufacturers validates the industry
trend of increasing intelligence in display management in smartphones
and tablets,” said Darrell Benke, Senior Marketing Manager for
optosensor products at ams. “Consumers will choose devices which provide
the best user viewing experience through automatic adjustment of display
color as well as brightness.”
The TMD3782 packs the ambient light, color and proximity sensor, IR LED
and optical lenses in a 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.4mm module suitable for mounting
in the densely populated and low-profile board assemblies commonly found
in mobile devices. The sensor’s integrated proximity sensor can be used
to simplify a product’s user interface, for instance, supporting
intelligent on/off control of smartphone touchscreens. The device’s
integrated proximity sensor also allows tablets to eliminate false
ambient light sensing measurements by detecting when the user’s hand or
finger is blocking light from reaching the sensor. The proximity
detection is factory-calibrated to a distance of 100mm, eliminating the
need for OEMs to perform production-line calibration, and simplifying
end-product manufacturing.
The TMD3782 sensor’s photodiodes have a radial structure to create a
uniform and optimized angular response when mounted under the 360°
module lens. The sensor also provides a 45 degree field of view for a
broader and more accurate measurement of the lighting environment. An
interrupt capability enables the sensor to alert the applications
processor when pre-set light and color measurement thresholds are
crossed, eliminating the need for continuous polling and reducing
overall system power requirements and hence extending battery life.
Price & Availability
The TMD3782 optical sensor module is in volume production and is priced
at $1.45 for 1,000 pieces.
Technical Support
An evaluation kit for the TMD3782 is available online. For further
information please visit www.ams.com/Color-Sensor/TMD37821.
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Copyright Business Wire 2014