Vishay Introduces Reflective Optical Sensors to Save Space and Improve Performance and Robustness

Gasgoo News, July 11, Vishay Intertechnology Optoelectronics Division announced a new AEC-Q101 qualified reflective optical sensor: Semiconductors VCNT2025X01, suitable for automotive, smart home, industrial and office applications.

Image credit: Vishay

Compared to previous generation solutions, the sensor is smaller and offers better performance at higher current transfer ratio (CTR) and operating temperature.The VCNT2025X01 integrates an infrared emitter, silicon phototransistor detector, and sunlight blocking filter in a tiny 2.5 mm x 2.0 mm x 0.6 mm surface mount package.

The sensor has a compact structure in which the emitting light source and the detector are arranged in the same plane.The sensor's analog output signal on the phototransistor depends on the amount of light emitted by the IR LED and reflected back from objects in the sensor's field of view.Its built-in daylight blocking filter greatly suppresses interfering ambient light, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.Additionally, the sensor's rugged FAM package reduces crosstalk and features wettable sides for optical inspection of solder joints.

The VCNT2025X01 is only 0.6 mm thick, which is 0.2 mm less than the previous generation sensor, making it useful for optical switches in automotive electronic systems, office equipment, and home appliances, enabling space-saving applications such as optical encoding in industrial automation systems, as well as printers and Paper presence detection in copiers.For these applications, the sensor can operate at high temperatures of 110°C, compared to 80°C for competing products.

The sensor has a detection range of 0.3 mm to 4.5 mm, an emitter wavelength of 940 nm, and a typical output current of 6.6 mA, or 33% of the measured CTR.This value is 24% higher than the previous generation solution and 23% higher than the competition.The sensor is Moisture Sensitivity Level 3 (MSL) according to J-STD-020 and can be used for reflow soldering.In addition, the sensor is RoHS, halogen free and Vishay Green compliant.