News and New Products

Light sensor integrates photodiode, transimpedance amp, and a linear voltage-output stage

By Paul Rako, Technical Editor -- EDN, 6/6/2008

Melexis has introduced the MLX75305 light-to-voltage sensor for high-volume automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. By integrating the photodiode, transimpedance amplifier, and voltage-output stage into one chip, Melexis has ensured that the part will provide a stable responsivity over time and temperature. The voltage output is highly linear and relatively insensitive to temperature. The device also has better noise performance than that of a discrete photodiode. The company assembles the sensor with high positional accuracy and a pin-to-photodiode accuracy of more than ±85 microns.

Melexis claim a 15-year lifetime for the part based on accelerated aging in high temperatures. The accelerated lifetime is relative to a part operating at 55°C. The second offering in the company’s SensorEyeC series, the device complements the MLX75303 optical switch.

The MLX75305 is available in large quantities with a 16-week leadtime. It has an extended-temperature range of −40 to +125°C and meets AEC (Automotive Electronics Council)-Q100 automotive specs. A version targeting consumer use operates at 85°C. The device comes in 3×3-mm, 0.65-mm-high DFN and SO-8 packages. It sells for 30 cents (medium quantities), and samples are available now.