New integrated ultraviolet light sensor assures high sensitivity and linearity

The Optoelectronics group of Vishay has introduced a new integrated ultraviolet (UV) light sensor featuring Filtron UV technology for high UV sensitivity and linearity. Designed to convert solar UV light intensity to digital data in consumer, medical, and industrial applications, the VEML6070 incorporates a photo-pin-diode and signal processing IC in a compact 2.35mm x 1.8mm x 1mm surface-mount package while offering an I²C bus interface for simple operation. The device is optimized for UV detection in smartphones, health monitoring and fitness products, flame detectors, and weather stations. The sensor saves space by incorporating the circuitry needed for these applications in one compact unit. A robust refresh rate setting lowers costs and simplifies designs by eliminating the need for an external RC low pass filter. The VEML6070 offers high dynamic detection resolution and excellent performance under long-term solar UV exposure, while an active acknowledge (ACK) feature with threshold window settings sends out UVI alert messages under strong solar conditions. The VEML6070's built-in photo-pin-diode offers spectral sensitivity from 280nm to 400nm, with a peak sensitivity wavelength of 355nm. The sensor provides fluorescent light flicker immunity, a software shutdown mode to reduce power consumption to < 1µA, and excellent temperature compensation stability from -40C to +85C. The device features an operating voltage and I²C bus voltage range of 2.7V to 5.5V and is offered in a lead (Pb)-free OPLGA package. The VEML6070 is RoHS-compliant and halogen-free, says the company.