Agilent Technologies Inc. has introduced a new version of its analog-output ambient light photo sensor for mobile, consumer, commercial and industrial products. The Agilent APDS-9002 sensor is supplied in a miniature ChipLED lead-free surface-mount package that features unusually small dimensions—2.00 mm x 1.25 mm x 0.80 mm.

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"This ultrasmall sensor offers improved performance and significant power savings, which is an important issue in today's battery-powered products," said Chee-Kien Lim, worldwide marketing manager for the Infrared Products Division in Agilent's Semiconductor Products Group.

The APDS-9002 operates over a supply voltage range of 2.4 V to 5.5 V and a temperature range of –40 ºC to +85 ºC. Agilent's ambient-light photo sensors emulate the human eye, measuring the amount of ambient light and signaling the portable electronic device to turn on its display's backlight and keypad light, if necessary.

The new sensor provides a highly linear proportional output that is used to adjust the backlighting of a display screen or a keypad. If there is sufficient ambient light, internal logic can turn off the backlighting to reduce the frequency of battery recharging or replacement. The APDS-9002 is available now and is priced at less than $0.50 each in moderate volumes.