The rapid change in ambient- light sensing

摘要

Examining one category - ambient-light sensing - represented by one of last January's Product of the Year award winners, demonstrates how quickly some technology fields can alter course. Right after the awards were chosen, Vishay Technology unveiled the VCNL4000 proximity and ambient-light optical sensor, which was the first device to combine an IR emitter, PIN photodiode, ambient-light detector, signal-processing IC, and 16-bit ADC - all in a 3.95 x 3.95 x 0.75-mm leadless surface-mount package. It was designed to simplify design in a wide variety of applications: smart-phones, GPS units, digital cameras, laptops, as well as other devices and displays.