Ams launches the smallest XYZ triple stimulus sensor to date for true color consumer applications

Ams AG has announced the launch of the first true color sensor IC based on the XYZ tri-stimulus, the TCS3430. The new sensors take up little space and are suitable for consumer electronics such as laptops, smartphones and tablets.

The industry standard in the color field is the CIE1931 "Standard Observer" XYZ three-stimulus model. The digitized output of the TCS3430 is a proportional output of the XYZ triple stimulus, consistent with the CIE1931 XYZ triple stimulus model, so the miniaturized TCS3430 can be used for applications such as display management, automatic white balance, or color management.

Oems switching from RGB color sensors to the new and highly cost-effective TCS3430 sensor can significantly improve the performance of cameras and displays:

● Adjust the color temperature (warming or cooling) and brightness of the display according to the relevant color temperature (CCT) and brightness of the environment

● Improve display white balance and image fidelity through high-quality calibration

● The camera produces more realistic images with almost zero color distortion, and the white balance performance is comparable to that of professional grade photography equipment

The TCS3430 uses AMS 'proprietary optical interference filter technology. The interference filter can be deposited directly on the wafer and can simulate the spectral response of the human eye. The TCS3430 filter has five channels, including X, Y, Z channels and two infrared channels. Two infrared channels can be used to infer the type of light source. The Y channel provides illuminance measurement for the green portion of the visible light spectrum, allowing the TCS3430 to be used as both an ambient light sensor and a color sensor.

The TCS3430 has a package size of 2.41 mm x 1.75 mm x 1.00 mm. The optical aperture of the sensor needs to be covered with a diffusion film. The TCS3430 features high sensitivity and wide dynamic range and can be mounted behind dark or transparent cover slides. In addition, it can run on a 1.8V power supply, and the main processor accesses the TCS3430 through the I2C interface.

Kevin Jensen, senior marketing manager for color Sensors at AMS, said: "The TCS3430 is the smallest true color sensor to date, enabling the color and brightness of consumer products to better match the ambient light and color. Consumers are becoming more color-conscious. According to a recent survey, consumers increasingly find it difficult to match the color of products in stores or online with the color of products at home. "Accurate white balance not only helps designers and professionals improve image quality, but also helps the average consumer make purchasing decisions that reduce overall product returns."