Texas Instruments' OPT3002 light-to-digital sensor provides the functionality of an optical-power meter within a single device. This optical sensor greatly improves system performance over photodiodes and photoresistors. The OPT3002 has a wide spectral bandwidth, ranging from 300 nm to 1000 nm. Measurements can be made from 1.2 nW/cm² up to 10 mW/cm², without the need to manually select the full-scale ranges by using the built-in, full-scale setting feature. This capability allows light measurement over a 23-bit, effective dynamic range. The results are compensated for dark-current effects as well as other temperature variations.

Use the OPT3002 in optical spectral systems that require detection of a variety of wavelengths, such as optically-based diagnostic systems. The interrupt pin system can summarize the result of the measurement with one digital pin. Power consumption is very low, allowing the OPT3002 to be used as a low-power, battery-operated, wake-up sensor when an enclosed system is opened.

The OPT3002 is fully integrated and provides optical-power reading directly from the I²C- and SMBus-compatible, two-wire, serial interface. Measurements are either continuous or single-shot. The OPT3002's fully operational power consumption is as low as 0.8 µW at 0.8 SPS on a 1.8 V supply.