Ams introduces the AS7265x compact 18-channel chipset

     Ams introduced the AS7265X, a cost-effective 18-channel multispectral sensor solution that opens the imagination to new spectral sensing applications. The 18-channel 3 chip calibrates visible light with a near-infrared chipset, making it ideal for emerging spectral sensing applications such as horticulture, fluid mass/spectral composition analysis, and complex spectral identification (anti-counterfeiting and authentication). The new product announcement expands the AS726x multispectral sensing product family to include a unique suite of 4 solutions with 6 channels of visible light, near infrared, true color and 18 channels.

     The AS7265x chipset consists of three highly integrated 6-channel sensor devices, each measuring only 4.5x4.4x2.5 mm, in a compact grid array package with an integrated aperture. The master-slave architecture works as a single logical device, simplifying the system integration process and speeding time to market. The 18 channels span wavelengths from 410 to 940 nanometers, and the filter width is 20 nanometers.

     TomGriffths, senior marketing manager at AMS, said: "This cost-effective product line will have a huge impact on the industry, creating a broad market opportunity for spectral sensing instruments under $100. Prior to the introduction of the AS7265 product family, similar sensor solutions were mostly priced at more than $100, making instruments built with them more expensive than $1,000 or more.

     "The retail pricing of the AS7265 series of consumer products will revolutionize all new spectral sensing innovations, with a wide range of impacts, far beyond what we are familiar with on a daily basis." We have entered a new era of sensing applications, and sensors are providing new solutions to today's diverse challenges such as food security, advanced gardening, and identity security verification. "

     The AS7265x multispectral sensor series is AMS 'first multi-chipset, and integrates nanooptical interference filters directly onto CMOS silicon chips. The high cost effectiveness opens up many new applications. This interference filter technology provides extremely accurate and repeatable filtration characteristics, stability over life cycles and at different temperatures, and is smaller than the standard component solutions required for multichannel spectral analysis instruments.

     The AS72651/652/653 chipset has been calibrated before delivery to provide standardized 35counts/uW/cm2 power densities across the entire sensing spectrum, simplifying algorithm development and eliminating the need for end-device calibration for many applications. Filtration stability over service cycles and different temperature ranges makes it possible to "calibrate for life" design solutions, helping to reduce component and manufacturing costs and opening up possibilities for new applications.

     The chipset is applied in a master/slave distributed design and each features six spectral sensing channels. Integrated intelligence helps calibrate the digital output and is managed via the host microprocessor via an optional I2C or UART interface. The 18 channels of the chipset are all 20nm half-peak full width, and the wavelength centers are 410, 435, 460, 485, 510, 535, 560, 585, 610, 645, 680, 705, 730, 760, 810, 860, 900, and 940nm.

     As a 3-chipset, the new device includes an electronic shutter function with three independent 100mALED drive controllers, which means device designers can precisely control multiple light sources and improve spectral sensing performance without additional components. The new AS7265x chipset sensor is small in size and low in power consumption, enabling measurement equipment Oems to develop new products based on its unique attributes.