Next-generation Si114x QuickSense™ infrared and ambient light sensor,
Advanced gesture control for non-contact human interfaces

January 20, 2011 – Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a global leader in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, announced the launch of its next-generation IR (infrared) and ambient light sensors (product name: Si114x) for human interface applications. The latest addition to Silicon Labs’ QuickSense™ HI portfolio, the Si114x family features industry-leading sensitivity, power efficiency, and the longest range proximity sensors. Housed in an ultra-small 2mm x 2mm package, the Si114x sensors enable contactless interfaces and sophisticated proximity sensing for handsets, e-readers, netbooks, tablets, personal media players, toys, office equipment, industrial controls, security systems, POS stations, and a wide range of other products.

The detection range and sensitivity of a proximity sensor are determined by the system's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and a higher SNR provides a longer range. Numerous variables, including ambient noise/light compensation, photodiode sensitivity, filtering, and ADC architecture, influence the system's SNR. While competing solutions consider only one or two of these variables, the patent-pending Si114x architecture considers all of them to minimize noise and maximize performance. Combined with architecture optimization, the Si114x product family generates a very high system SNR, enabling Si114x proximity sensors to achieve the industry's longest range, highest sensitivity, and highest speed of data acquisition.

The Si114x family possesses industry-leading sensitivity, providing developers with the flexibility to position IR sensors behind translucent product overlays. Additionally, its robust IR sensing architecture operates under direct light and includes an ambient light sensor capable of sensing illumination up to 128 klx. The advanced architecture of the Si114x family enables proximity measurements within 25 μs and minimizes the on-time of power-intensive infrared LEDs, delivering the industry's lowest system power consumption—up to 20 times lower than competitors.

The Si114x product family includes sensor options with up to three infrared LED drivers, allowing developers to freely implement one-dimensional human interface systems with a detection range of over 50 cm or multi-dimensional systems for gesture sensing with a range of up to 15 cm. The Si1142 and Si1143 devices, equipped with two and three infrared LED drivers respectively, enable advanced motion and gesture sensing. The Si1142 supports z- and x-axis motion sensing for non-contact slider interfaces with two integrated proprietary LED drivers. The Si1143, supporting three LED drivers, enables innovative 3D motion sensing for multi-dimensional non-contact control.

The Si114x sensor can be combined with Silicon Labs’ intelligent control capacitive touch-sensing MCUs, such as the F700, F800, or F99x MCUs, for use in a wide range of motion and gesture detection and expected-object distance correction applications. The sensing modes of the Si114x device provide the MCU with useful information for determining background lighting types, such as sunlight, fluorescent lights, and incandescent lights. This information is useful for various applications, including enhancing IR proximity sensing, optimizing infrared sensing power, strengthening backlight dimming capabilities in displays, and controlling other devices within the system.

Mark Thompson, Vice President of Embedded Mixed-Signal Products at Silicon Labs, stated, “The new Si114x family is the most sophisticated single-chip proximity sensing solution, delivering outstanding sensitivity, range, and power efficiency in an ultra-small footprint,” adding, “Silicon Labs is the only semiconductor supplier offering proximity sensors and touch-sensor MCUs in the same product portfolio.”