Multispectral sensors cover visible to near-IR for chip-scale spectrometry

The AS7262 and AS7263 spectral sensing engines are six-channel spectrometers with electronic shutter and smart interface functions. The AS7262 covers the visible range (450, 500, 550, 570, 600, and 640 nm) with 40-nm full-wave half-max (FWHM) channel width, while the AS7263 covers the near infrared (610, 680, 730, 760, 810, and 860 nm), with 20-nm FWHM channel width. Each is offered in a small 4.5 x 4.4 x 2.5-mm land grid array package.
These multispectral sensors use a fabrication technique that enables nano-optical interference filters to be precisely deposited directly on the CMOS silicon. This interference filter technology provides accurate and reproducible filter characteristics that are stable over both time and temperature and are smaller and more cost-effective than traditional filter components. This combination allows the sensors to offer lifetime calibration and make the devices a suitable foundation for robust, handheld spectral analysis instruments.

The devices are housed in a 20-pin LGA package with a built-in aperture to control the light falling on the sensor. In addition, they include controllable-current LED drivers that allow implementation of a global shutter with the same chip. Control and spectral data access uses either the I² C register set or an AT-type command over a UART interface.

The small size, low power, and low cost point of these sensors open the door for a new generation of spectral analyzers for consumer and industrial applications including authentication, fluid, material and content analysis, and spectral identification.