ST offers innovative ambient light sensors (ALS) that provide, in optimized package size, accurate information on ambient light, like the Illuminance (lux) level, the color temperature or the light flicker frequency.
In addition to our VL6180X that combines ambient light sensing (ALS) with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) range sensor and an IR emitter in a single module, ST introduces the new VD6283TX, a miniature full-color sensor with advanced light flicker frequency extraction.
Benefits of ST’s ambient light sensors
- Accurate lux, correlated color temperature (CCT) and distance measurement information (depending upon product)
- Easy integration with miniature or all-in-one modules
- Low power consumption
- Competitive system cost
What are ambient light sensors?
ST ambient light sensors offer, in optimized packages, photopic or color filters with precise responses that convert ambient light into Lux values with high-accuracy performance.
Full-color sensors provide a complete optical sensing solution combining the computation of the correlated color temperature (CCT) and the extraction of flickering frequencies of artificial lights, effectively removing the “banding effect” often visible on camera screens.
Combining ambient light sensor with an IR emitter and ST’s patented FlightSense™ Time-of-Flight technology, the 3-in-1 combo sensors are easy to integrate and save the end-product maker long and costly optical and mechanical design optimizations.
Benefits of the miniature VD6283TX full-color sensor
Scheduled for release in 3Q21, the full-color VD6283TX ALS is the smallest 6-channel color sensor the market with 1.83 x 1.0 x 0.55 mm package. Light measurement is fast and accurate thanks to an individual ADC and readout circuitry for each color channel (Red, Green, Blue, IR, Clear and Visible). The VD6283TX uses hybrid color filters with precise responses allowing accurate computation of the correlated color temperature (CCT) and Lux information that can be used for display brightness management or scene light correction. Additionally, the VD6283TX can extract light flickering frequencies from 100 Hz to 2 kHz, including LED square signals.
Developer resources
ST ambient light sensors are supplied with a complete documentation package, example source code and a software APIs (application programming interface) which is compatible with a range of microcontrollers and processors. The application software development and the physical integration into customers’ devices is easy thanks to the X-NUCLEO expansion and breakout boards which are compatible with the STM32 ODE environment and STM32CubeMX graphical user interface and initialization code generator.
Unlimited markets and applications
There are a lot of use cases and applications compatible with our ambient light sensors including:
- Display brightness adjustment
- Auto-white balance
- Lighting control for smart buildings or greenhouses
- Color code reader for product identification or counterfeit detection
- Predictive maintenance for light aging
An ambient light sensor (ALS) is a device that measures the intensity and characteristics of the surrounding light environment. It helps electronic devices adapt their display brightness, color balance, and other parameters automatically to enhance user experience and energy efficiency.
As part of Imaging sensors portfolio, STMicroelectronics latest ambient light sensor (ALS) VD6283 offers, in optimized package size, color filters with precise responses allowing accurate computation of Illuminance (lux) level, color temperature or light flicker frequency.
The VD6283 offers accurate extraction of artificial light flickering frequencies, enabling removal of the “banding effect” often visible on videos. And its unique hybrid filter technology, with low angular shift, provides precise color information. It can be used to compute auto white balance for perfect camera settings and eye-appealing display colors, or for color identification, allowing to distinguish products or variants. These are just a few examples of how the VD6283 color and flicker sensor can improve our daily life.
To help accelerate time-to-market and reduce development costs, a comprehensive documentation package is available with example source code and software APIs compatible with a wide range of microcontrollers and processors. Application software development and physical integration into customers’ devices are streamlined thanks to X-NUCLEO expansion and breakout boards, supported by the STM32 MCU Developer Zone as well as the STM32CubeMX graphical user interface and initialization code generator.
Applications
Industrial & logistics
Color sorting and display brightness management
Retail & commercial
Brightness and color control for POS terminals and smart advertising displays
Smart phones & personal electronics
Auto white balance and flicker removal for camera assistance, plus display brightness management
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Healthcare & wearables
Movement tracking, breathing monitoring, and fall detection
Smart home
Flicker removal for smart doorbells and display management for smart thermostats
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Security
Lux level measurement for IP security cameras
Benefits
ALS technology bringing innovation and differentiation
Super sensitive, perfect for low light or under opaque cover glass.
Smallest color sensor on the market.
Accurate light flicker frequency extraction.
