MAZeT Presents Fully Integrated Color Sensor MTCS-CDCAF

Guarantees Stable LED light for the Long Term

Jena, Germany, 1th March 2016. MAZeT GmbH – development and manufacturing services provider for embedded systems and optoelectronics – is introducing the new MTCS-CDCAF color sensor, the first fully integrated sensor chip solution in the JENCOLOR® product line. The MTCS-CDCAF features a True Color filter function, integrated signal amplification based on charge-to-digital conversion, and an on-chip temperature sensor.

The sensor combines the functions of the JENCOLOR® MTCSiCF detector and the digital signal converter MCDC04. Additionally, it is optimally tailored to the specific requirements of applications such as lighting, allowing the sensor to precisely measure the color coordinates of light as XYZ signals in the CIE 1931 color space.

Areas of application include the measurement of color temperature (CCT) and chromaticity, brightness, and other light-related parameters such as PWM frequency and flicker in LED lights and monitor backlight systems. The sensor is available in a QFN16 package and is intended for direct installation in lights.

Amplified and covering a broad temperature range

The highlights of the MTCS-CDCAF at a glance:

• Direct conversion of light to digital signals (light-to-digital, based on CIE 1931),
• Flexible ADC: High amplification and resolution of up to 20 bits,
• Large dynamic range 1:10,000,000 (lowest to highest light intensity),
• Integration time can be variably programmed and reference currents can be set,
• Temperature compensation on amplification channels with high linearity and synchronicity,
• Measurement process (such as PWM) can be synchronized externally, and
• Signal evaluation via I²C.

Unlike conventional absorption filters, the sensor operates based on the interference filters used, even functioning reliably at temperatures of over 100°C (operating temperature: -40°C to 125°C). Additionally, it does not change its spectral properties during use throughout its entire lifecycle.

Compared to conventional RGB color sensors, the MTCS-CDCAF is ideal for use in LED lighting applications, thanks in particular to its extended temperature range, its filters with long-term stability based on the tri-stimulus value function (CIE 1931), and the expanded parameters of the on-chip ADC. One application example is measuring and regulating LEDs to compensate for temperature fluctuations and the effects of aging that would result in color deviations in the LED light.

Examples of customers using this product include ambient lighting in airplanes and shops, as well as medical and technical lighting. The sensor guarantees stable LED light for the long term.

About MAZeT

MAZeT GmbH is a leading European engineering and manufacturing service provider. The company was founded in 1992 and is based in Jena. MAZeT develops, manufactures and distributes customer specific devices, software and ASICs distributes own products of the trademark JENCOLOR®. The broad technology offer and application know-how in this field of industry electronics and opto-sensor technology lets MAZeT GmbH be a competent and reliable service partner for every customized client-specific solution. Their expertise and components for custom applications are used throughout the entire sector of industrial metrology, control and automation as well as medical technology.