Silicon Labs announced the launch of a next-generation optical sensor that protects consumers from harmful ultraviolet (UV) exposure and can be used to develop innovative contactless user interfaces by leveraging high-performance proximity sensing and gesture recognition capabilities.

Silicon Labs explained that its new Si1133 optical sensor provides a cost-effective solution for adding the ability to accurately measure UV indices to various sports equipment and outdoor activity products. The Si1153 light sensor is optimized for bright sunlight conditions and longer detection distances, making it suitable for gesture recognition control and proximity sensing applications in outdoor environments.

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays is dangerous and has been known to increase the risk of sunburn, particularly in humans, and the risk of developing melanoma, a potentially fatal type of skin cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 66,000 people die annually from melanoma and other skin cancers.

Silicon Labs explained that the Si1133 sensor accurately measures the UV index to assess solar intensity and help prevent skin damage. The Si1133 sensor can be easily and economically applied to a wide range of cost-sensitive outdoor leisure products, such as sports and fitness wearables, backpacks, bicycle helmets, sunglasses, beach terrace furniture, and sunscreen packaging materials, and products equipped with it can enable consumers to monitor UV exposure and maximize the time spent outdoors in a safe state.

The Si1133 UV sensor provides results consistent with the digital UV index defined by the WHO via an I2C serial interface. The Si1133 device also enables the automatic adjustment of display brightness by detecting ambient light intensity.

The Si1133 UV sensor operates even under dark-colored glass by providing an ambient light detection resolution of less than 100 mlx.
It is a highly integrated solution that reduces cost and complexity by combining two 23-bit ADCs, a DSP, and high-sensitivity visible light and IR photodiodes. It enables I2C serial communication supporting data rates up to 3.4 Mbps and consumes 500 nA of standby current to extend battery life. It is housed in a small 2 mm x 2 mm QFN package that is not constrained by design space.



High-performance proximity detection

The Si1153 sensor enables various user interface innovations through outstanding performance enhancements for proximity detection and gesture recognition in daylight conditions. Unlike many competitor sensors optimized for indoor environments, the newly announced sensors can be used outdoors in bright ambient light and can achieve a detection distance of up to 2 meters.

Si1153 sensors are an ideal solution for gesture recognition-based operations in automotive infotainment systems, bicycle computers, and other outdoor sports equipment, enabling the implementation of interfaces that allow users to easily and safely control electronic devices without taking their eyes off the road or their current task. These sensors are also a good choice for proximity sensing applications requiring longer detection distances and excellent performance in daylight conditions, including ATMs, POS (point-of-sale) terminals, and door systems.

The main feature of the Si1153 proximity sensor is the ability to measure a proximity detection distance adjustable from 1 cm to a maximum of 200 cm.
It has up to three independent LED drivers capable of supporting multidimensional proximity motion detection and operates even under dark-colored glass with an ambient light detection resolution of less than 100 mlx.

Two 23-bit ADCs, a DSP, and high-sensitivity visible light and IR photodiodes are combined to form a highly integrated solution that reduces cost and complexity, and enables I2C serial communication supporting data rates up to 3.4 Mbps.

Like the Si1133, it consumes 500 nA standby current, and the Si1153 is available in two package options: a 2 mm x 2 mm QFN and a 2.9 mm x 4.9 mm module with LEDs.

"Our next-generation Si1133 and Si1153 sensors provide developers with cutting-edge technology, enabling them to easily and cost-effectively implement accurate UV index measurements, high-performance proximity sensing, and gesture detection capabilities in a wide range of applications including consumer, automotive, and commercial," said Daniel Cooley, Vice President of Marketing for the IoT Products Business Unit at Silicon Labs.

Silicon Labs supports optical sensing development through the 115XOPT-EXP-EVB multi-purpose evaluation board, demonstrating all capabilities of Si1133 and Si1153 sensors and simplifying the evaluation of UV, ambient light, proximity, and gesture detection.