Apr. 23, 2007 — OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) has introduced an ultraviolet (UV) sensor IC, the ML8511, that produces analog voltage output and does not require an optical cut filter. OKI says it was able to achieve high accuracy by mounting an operational amplifier (op amp) on the IC — and thus has made portable UV meters ready for practical use.

Samples of the ML8511 will be available in June.

OKI reports that demand for UV sensors is increasing, particularly for use in portable devices. Conventional UV sensors use compound semiconductors such as gallium nitride, which makes it difficult to mount peripheral circuits on a single chip. Because silicon-based UV sensors require an optical wavelength cut filter, problems such as piece-to-piece variation in sensor characteristics and decline in sensitivity can occur.

By adding a built-in op amp, OKI’s ML8511 enables the analog voltage output function on a single chip. The optical cut filter can also be eliminated, enabling manufacturers to develop small and high mobility UV devices at a low cost. And according to OKI, its use of SOI-CMOS technology for the sensor enables easy integration, and use in mounting digital and analog circuits.

OKI plans to leverage its ability to mount digital and analog circuits by producing output circuits that connect to microcontrollers and include ambient light sensors on a single chip. OKI says it will provide this configuration for a wide range of applications, including accessory type devices to measure the amount of UV in daylight, check UV exposure, and also for home and mobile appliances.