For more information please use the links to the right

The TCS230 programmable RGB color sensing light-to-frequency converter combines configurable silicon photodiodes and a current-to-frequency converter on a single monolithic CMOS integrated circuit. The output is a square wave (50% duty cycle) and frequency directly proportional to light intensity (irradiance). The full-scale output frequency can be scaled by one of three preset values via tow control input pins. Digital inputs and digital outputs allow direct interface to a microcontroller or other logic circuitry. Output enable (OE) places the output in the high-impedance state for multiple-unit sharing of a microcontroller input line.

The light-to-frequency converter reads an 8 x 8 array of photodiodes. Sixteen photodiodes have blue filters, 16 photodiodes have green filters, 16 photodiodes have red filters, and 16 photodiodes are clear with no filters. The four types (colors) of photodiodes are inter-digitated to minimize the effect of non-uniformity of incident irradiance. All 16 photodiodes of the same color are connected in parallel and which type of photodiode the device uses during operation is pin-selectable. Photodiodes are 120 mm x 120 mm in size and are on 144-mm centers.

Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions (TAOS) is based in Plano, Texas. Established in 1998, the company mission is to develop, manufacture, and market leadership integrated optoelectronic products. Historically, applications requiring the sensing of light stimulus to execute a function have been implemented by either a photodiode or phototransistor – none of which support the emerging needs for higher performance optical sensor-based applications.

Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, our semiconductor devices combine precision mixed-signal functionality with photo-detectors on the same integrated circuit to produce products with performance and cost advantages over conventional solutions. TAOS' intelligent opto sensors simplify analog-to-digital conversion of light and are designed to reduce the need for signal conditioning or pre-processing circuitry in light-centric systems. Our light sensing solutions improve system performance and reduce design-cycle time giving designers the flexibility they require.

Use the links below to view all our inventory of products as well as their data sheets:

· The TAOS family of intelligent opto sensors includes:

o Light-to-Voltage Sensors
Low-cost, photodiode with integrated transimpedance amplifier delivering linear analog voltage output

o Light-to-Frequency Sensors
Large input dynamic range measuring light intensity with pulse train or square wave digital output

o Linear Sensor Arrays
Spatial relationship optical sensor for imaging, encoding or edge detection with high linearity and uniformity

o Light to Digital Sensors
Digital light level measurement in units of lux approximating the human eye response

o Color Sensors
RGB filtered sensors for color discrimination, determination, and measurement.

About Texas Advanced Optoelectronic (TAOS), Inc. : Shaping the Future of Light Sensing Solutions

Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions, Incorporated (TAOS) is based in Plano, Texas (a suburb of Dallas). Established in 1998, the company mission is "To Redefine Optoelectronic Solutions to Provide Cost and Performance Advantages by Creating and Managing Technology."

Historically, applications that require the sensing of light stimulus to execute a function have been implemented by either a photodiode or phototransistor – neither of which support the emerging needs for higher performance optical sensor-based applications.

Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, our semiconductor devices combine precision mixed-signal functionality with photo-detectors on the same integrated circuit to produce products with performance and cost advantages over conventional solutions. TAOS's intelligent opto sensors simplify the measurement and analog-to-digital conversion of light, and are designed to reduce the need for signal conditioning or pre-processing circuitry in light-centric systems. Our light sensing solutions improve system performance and reduce design-cycle time giving designers the flexibility and performance they require at an attractive system cost.