High-Speed IR Emitters Target VR/AR Apps

New Yorker Electronics expanded its optoelectronics division with the release of the new Vishay Optoelectronics high-speed infrared (IR) emitters. Well-suited for position tracking in virtual- or augmented-reality applications, the emitters help simplify designs by eliminating the need for external barriers such as rubber rings. Built on Vishay's SurfLight surface emitter chip technology, the VSMY5850X01 (850 nm), VSMY5890X01 (890 nm), and VSMY5940X01 (940 nm) semiconductors deliver 30% greater radiant intensity than prior-generation devices, over a wide temperature range of -40 to +110°C.

Unlike traditional printed-circuit-board (PCB) packages that use an all-transparent epoxy to embed the emitter chip, the opaque side walls of the VSMY5850X01, VSMY5890X01, and VSMY5940X01 prevent unwanted side emissions that can cause a halo effect in camera images. While standard IR emitters emit light in all directions, SurfLight devices emit nearly all light and power out of the top of the chip. Therefore, with most of the light concentrated on the surface, the Vishay Optoelectronics IR emitters are able to achieve this superior intensity, says the company.

The emitters are housed in a 2- x 1.25- x 0.8-mm 0805 surface-mount package, which the company claims is the industry's smallest package with opaque side walls. They also feature fast rise-and-fall times of 7 ns, low forward voltages down to 1.6 V at 100 mA, and a floor life of 168 hours.