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Article Excerpt
Spearheading opportunities for two distinct (and complementary as well as potentially competing) types of optical sensors, PerkinElmer Optoelectronics (headquartered in Fremont, CA, 510-979-6500/800-775-6786) (www.perkinelmer.com/opto) has recently released its next-generation of sunload sensors for automobile climate and lighting control; and also has reported the availability of a fully integrated thermopile module sensor for remote temperature measurement in diverse applications.
In early March, PerkinElmer Optoelectronics unveiled its new sunload sensors, designed to optimize climate control and lighting in "intelligent automobiles," thereby enhancing occupant comfort and safety.
PerkinElmer's sunload sensors combine two silicon PN photodiodes, which measure the intensity and direction of sunlight to adjust climate control, with a phototransistor, which controls the interior and exterior lighting systems to make automatic adjustments at dawn and dusk. The sunload sensor, priced at below $3.00 in large quantities (e.g., hundreds of thousands of units), is designed to be inconspicuous, thereby preserving the cosmetic appearance of the instrument panel.
"For more than two decades, millions of drivers and passengers have been safer and more comfortable in their cars thanks to PerkinElmer technology," said John Murphy, president of PerkinElmer Optoelectronics. "As automobiles become more intelligent, PerkinElmer will continue to provide state-of-the-art sensors that meet and exceed the stringent requirements of the world's leading auto manufacturers and help drive innovation."
Hanan Golan, automotive key accounts manager at PerkinElmer Optoelectronics (St. Louis, MO, 314-264-0225) noted that PerkinElmer is unique in maintaining full design control for the sunload sensors (including making the sensing chips, components, and final sensor assembly). Such comprehensive capabilities facilitate design speed, product quality, optimized in-car performance, and can decrease the cost of customized sunload sensors. PerkinElmer, which has QS9000 certification, validates the quality of the sunload sensors, and can work directly with auto manufacturers to create custom solutions for specific vehicles.
Golan mentioned that PerkinElmer provides over one million automotive ambient light sensors per year. PerkinElmer has been providing sunload sensors (that employ a photocell) for use in Cadillac vehicles for about 20 years. They also provide components to other companies that make automotive sunload and twilight sensors.
Previously, PerkinElmer's dual sunload sensors (where each sensor has two photodiodes) were made according to the OEM's design. Such sensors were previously provided for use in two vehicle platforms.
The new sunload sensors, based on their own design, provide twilight sensing capability and enhanced performance for the driver and passenger comfort. For example, acceptance angle of the new sunload sensor can be optimized for the application; and the twilight sensing functionality can be used to adjust the headlight power for DRL (daytime running lights, which have been shown to help prevent accidents) or to automatically turn the headlights on or off.
Photodiodes are light sensitive semiconductor devices manufactured in similar fashion to semiconductor diodes that are used in conventional electronic circuits. However, photodiode chips are larger, and are packaged to allow light onto the sensitive area of the diode. Depending on the semiconductor material used, photodiodes can detect wavelengths from 190 to greater than 2,000 nm.
Silicon photodiodes exhibit a response from the ultraviolet through the visible and into the infrared portion of the spectrum. The spectral response peaks in the near infrared region between 850 nm and 950 nm. Silicon PN...
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