Smart Optical Sensors for Industrial and Consumer Applications

ASTRI's smart sensors are based on our low cost plastic packaging platform. We integrate light sources and photodetectors as well as some electronic circuitry elements in a pre-molded plastic package. A precision distance sensor is developed where the diffuse reflection of a VCSEL beam is measured in a position sensitive photodetector element to accurately determine the object position. A micrometer resolution is achieved over several millimeters of working range. The same principle is applied to build a tilt sensor where the tilt of a small size micro chip can be measured with sub-degree accuracy. The application is in the semiconductor assembly industry. The key feature of the smart sensor component is its small size and its light weight, facilitating the mounting on fast moving parts. A different version of the distance sensor enables a touchless optical switch. The optical design with the VCSEL light source and the lens provides a precise switching level. Therefore the optical switch elements can be closely packed without optical crosstalk. The main application is for machines in public environments such as bank teller machines and elevators. The optical switch also enables hermitically sealed switches for outdoor applications