Maxim introduces a light sensor that combines ambient light detection and proximity detection

     Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX44000 digital ambient light and infrared proximity detection sensor that simulates the ambient light detection of the human eye. Designed with the company's proprietary BiCMOS technology, the IC integrates three optical sensors, two ADCs, and digital circuits in a miniature, 2mm x 2mm x 0.6mm package. The highly integrated design saves valuable board space and provides optical signal integration as well as unmatched optical detection performance.

     The MAX44000 has extremely low power consumption: only 5µA when the ambient light sensor is enabled; When both the proximity detection sensor and the ambient light sensor are enabled, the current is only 7µA. This low-power feature greatly extends battery life in applications. The MAX44000 is ideal for touch screen applications including: smartphones, portable devices, industrial sensors, and in-line inspection.

     When holding a smartphone near the user's face, the touch screen must be turned off to prevent accidental contact from interfering with the call. This makes it particularly important for proximity detection sensors to be able to "detect" when a target enters a specific range during a call or any other preset event. Once the signal under test is received, the front-end circuit is suppressed through the direct current circuit, infrared (IR), and then sent to the ADC. This process enables the MAX44000 to operate in environments with large DC IR radiation. The external IR LED is pulsed by monopulse technology, so the sensor is not affected by external fixed frequency IR radiation. This immunity makes the proximity detection sensor work more reliably.

     Traditional light sensors are inevitably affected by ultraviolet (UV) and infrared rays, which are invisible to the human eye, resulting in inaccurate ambient light measurement readings. Using Maxim's BiCMOS technology, the device integrates two photodiodes and a filter to effectively suppress ultraviolet and infrared light, enabling the MAX44000 to reproduce the optical response of the human eye in a variety of environmental Settings.

     The MAX44000 is available in a 2mm x 2mm x 0.6mm, 6-pin UTDFN-Opto-EP lead-free package to meet the demanding space requirements of portable systems. The device operates in the temperature range of -40°C to +105°C, effectively improving system reliability.