Ultra-low power SAR proximity sensor offers an advanced smart sensing solution

Available now from Mouser is the Semtech SX9310 Ultra-Low Power SAR Proximity Sensor provides an advanced smart sensing solution for mobile phones, wearables, tablets, notebooks, and mobile hotspots. The device is designed as a capacitive SAR controller with two of the three sensor inputs coupled to its patented on-chip smart engine for SAR. The design ensures the proximity sensor accurately discriminates between an inanimate object and human body. Designers can use the third sensor input independently for standard capacitive sensing. The sensor operates directly from a 2.7V to 5.5V input supply voltage. The I²C serial communication bus port is compatible with 1.8V host control to report body detection/proximity and to facilitate parameter settings adjustment. Upon proximity detection, the NIRQ output asserts, allowing the user to either determine the relative proximity distance or simply obtain an indication of detection. An on-chip auto-calibration controller performs sensitivity adjustments on a regular basis to maintain peak performance over a wide variation of temperature, humidity and noise environments.