Man-Machine Interface

Not so long ago industrial Man-Machine Interface (MMI) meant little more than some LEDs, a few switches, a numerical keypad and maybe the odd buzzer. These days, people have grown accustomed to the rich graphical and multimedia environment offered by PCs. This is now becoming more commonplace within new markets, such as industrial machinery, due to the cost reductions that seem to be inherent in the electronics business. Typically, a latest-specification MMI mimics or even exceeds the interface offered on a PC. So for instance, graphics displays are replacing character modules and often offer full-colour, high-resolution screens.

In addition, touch-screen interfaces are becoming more and more common, and are replacing the older-style membrane keypads. Finally, of course, the advent of low-cost DSP technology has meant that audio interfaces for industrial equipment have moved on from bleeps and buzzes to synthesised instructions and warnings. So whilst most industrial equipment does not offer the iPhone standard of human interface, they are starting to get remarkably close in many cases. This FTM Application Spotlight looks at the full spectrum of solutions for MMI designs. From new technology enabling the latest generation of devices, to improved components for more effective implementation of existing interfaces.

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Surface-mount ambient-light sensing photodiodes qualified to automotive standard

A key component for automotive body control and passenger-safety applications, ambient-light sensors allow electronic systems to detect and respond to light in a manner similar to the human eye, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and reducing power consumption.

The new TEMD6010FX01 and TEMD5510FX01 use Vishay’s infrared filtering epoxy technology to match the spectral sensitivity of the human eye with minimal sensitivity to radiation beyond the visible range. For automotive applications these surface-mount ambient-light sensing photodiodes are also qualified to the AEC-Q101 standard, a reliability test qualification procedure for discrete semiconductors published by the Automotive Electronics Council. Automotive applications for these photodiodes include rain, light, and tunnel sensors; brightness control for dashboard and navigation displays; and automatically turning on the headlights at dusk.

These photodiodes provide the benefit of having a similar response to either incandescent or fluorescent light, for which the TEMD6010FX01 and TEMD5510FX01 deliver excellent response ratios of 1.3 and 1.4 respectively. For comparison, a standard silicon infrared photo diode has a response ratio of 10.

The TEMD6010FX01 and TEMD5510FX01 provide a linear response to illuminance from 0.1lux to 100klux with good lot-to-lot repeatability over the extended operating temperature range of -40°C to 100°C. Lot-to-lot repeatability may allow customers to eliminate calibration steps in their manufacturing process. Competing sensors are unable to match this linear response at temperature extremes, particularly above 85°C.

 

FEATURES Radiant sensitive area 0.3mm2 Wide angle of half sensitivity ±60° Spectral sensitivity adapted to human eye Surface-mountable package 72h floor life (MSL 4, acc. J-STD-020) Lead (Pb)-free component in accordance with ELV 2000/53/EC, RoHS 2002/95/EC and WEEE 2002/96/EC

APPLICATIONS Automotive sensors Ambient-light sensors Backlight dimming Mobile phones Notebooks Computers

 

 

Vishay / TEMD6010FX01/TEMD5510FX01