The TEMT6000 Ambient Light Sensor Module is a visible light to analog voltage converter for measuring the intensity of light.

KEY FEATURES OF TEMT6000 AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR MODULE:

• Visible light sensitivity with peak at 570nm
• +/- 60 degree angle of sensitivity
• Fast reacting in \Sec range.
• Analog voltage output proportional to the intensity of light falling on the detector
• 3.3 and 5V compatible

The TEMT6000 is design as an ambient light detector for automatically controlling the backlight dimming of cell phones, laptops, car dashboard and similar item.  It can be used in many applications where it is desirable to measure the relative brightness of the light falling on the sensor.

The sensor is designed to mainly detect the light spectrum visible to the human eye with peak sensitivity at 570nm which is in the green spectrum.  The full range spans 440nm to 800nm.

The sensor itself is a NPN phototransistor. Increase light intensity on the base of the transistor increase the current flowing through the transistor collector/emitter.

The module includes a 10K resistor. The TEMT6000 sensor and the resistor form a voltage divider network as shown to the right.  As light intensity increases, the current flow also increases.  This causes the voltage drop across the 10K resistor to increase and so the voltage on the signal output increases towards Vcc.

The output voltage is fairly linear with the intensity of the illumination (lux) that is falling on the device. The range of reliable detection spans a low of 10 lux to a high of 1000 lux.

The analog output of the module is typically input into the analog input on a microcontroller where it can be measure and act on. It works quite well for making relative measurement and determine if it is getting brighter or darker.

Module Connections

The module bring out the following connections. TEMT6000 Ambient Light Sensor

1 x 3 Header

• S / OUT  = Signal Output – Connects to MCU analog input
• G / GND = Ground
• V / VCC = Vcc (3.0 – 5.5V)

Minimum Vcc voltage can go lower than 3.0V since it just needs to be high enough to bias the NPN transistor and can be 1.2V or even lower.  For use with an MCU, Vcc is typically kept the same as the MCU operating voltage.

Module Assembly,

The module ships with the male header strip loose.  The header may be longer than 3-pins and can be snap to the length require.  The header can be solder to the top or bottom of the module depending on the plan use or wires can be use to make the connections.

For breadboard use, we put the headers on the bottom.  Soldering is easiest if the header is inserted into a breadboard to hold it in position during the soldering process.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• • TEMT6000 Ambient Light Sensor Module
  • Male header