Photo IC Illumination Sensors Auto-Adjust Backlighting

Two photo IC illumination sensors, the TPS850 and TPS851, slash power requirements for illumination of color LCDs and keypads in portable systems. The sensors detect the level of ambient light to automatically adjust backlight levels, thereby extending battery life. Both integrate a single-chip photodiode and amplifier circuit. They also provide an internal luminosity efficiency correction (LEC) function. They can detect a light current ranging from 10 µA to more than 10,000 µA with corresponding luminance levels ranging from more than 10 to more than 2000 lx. Target applications include cellular phones, PDAs, laptops, and digital cameras. Available in surface-mount packages, the TPS850 measures 3.2 by 2.4 by 1.1 mm and the TPS851 measures 2.1 by 2.0 by 0.7 mm. The TPS850 and TPS851 cost $0.46 and $0.40 each, respectively.

Toshiba America Electronic Components Inc.
www.toshiba.com; (949) 455-2000