ActiveLight sensor interface with built-in LED drivers

Optical proximity and gesture detection enables a more intuitive human–machine interaction (HMI) experience. Typical challenges for such systems are cost, sunlight robustness, electro-magnetic interference and mechanical integration constraints.

The MLX75031 ActiveLight sensor interface addresses these challenges with Melexis’ proprietary integrated ambient light suppression, proven electro-magnetic compliance, a small footprint and flexible system architecture.

The MLX75031 actively controls up to two independent ActiveLight measurement channels. Each channel works with one or multiple LEDs, of any type, combined with one or more photodiodes, of any type. Additional ActiveLight channels can be added through multiplexing.

Integrated DC light suppression makes the sensors highly tolerant to background light interference. This primary function is complemented with two integrated ambient light channels. Internal control logic, configurable user registers and SPI communication enable intuitive and programmable operation.

Extra features include a watchdog timer, on-board temperature sensor and self-diagnostics are built-in to facilitate robust product design.

The digital output from the ActiveLight and ambient light channels can be used for proximity and ambient light detection. Gestures such as swipe, zoom, scroll can be recognized by software algorithms that can run on the customer’s microcontroller. Reliable communication is assured via an SPI interface.

Any LED, any photodiode

The MLX75031 offers great flexibility in the placement and selection of external components.

Each customer can optimize their design with their own selection of LED and photodiode, hereby allowing specific sensing range and/or viewing angle, while maintaining superior background light robustness.

This product is intended for high volume. For annual volumes up to 300,000 we recommend our MLX75030.