Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. is adding to its Optoelectronics portfolio with a family of mid-range infrared (IR) sensors featuring digital and analog outputs in three package types. With a fast response time of 300ms and low supply current of 0.85mA, the industry-best detectors have a range of up to 30 meters when used as part of an interrupter design and a range of up to three meters when used as part of a reflective sensor. Some object detecting sensors adjust their detection threshold depending on the amount of ambient light and optical noise present in the environment. To avoid false detections in the presence of noise, the gain of the amplifier may adjust itself to such a low level that sensor responsiveness is affected. In low ambient light conditions, the sensor may increase its gain and make the receiver too sensitive, such that it will detect and respond to reflected or stray light.
The TSOP4038, TSOP58038, and TSOP5038 IR sensors with digital output eliminate these problems by featuring a fixed gain. With a fixed gain the detection threshold and resulting detection distance is fixed. Once the design of the optical parameters such as the intensity of the emitter, the aperture in front of the receiver, and the alignment of emitter and detector are determined, the sensor will have stable, repeatable performance under all lighting conditions.
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