ams launches ultra-small color and light source flicker detection module for full-screen and ultra-narrow bezel smartphones

China, November 25, 2020 – ams AG (SIX: AMS), a leading global provider of high-performance sensor solutions, today introduced an ambient light/color (RGB) and light source The integrated sensor for flicker detection, the TCS3410, measures only 2 mm x 1 mm, further expanding the sensor selection for full-screen and ultra-narrow bezel smartphones.

Only 0.5 mm thick, the TCS3410 can be easily installed in the teardrop-shaped notch of the front selfie lens of a phone or the ultra-narrow bezel of a smartphone, helping manufacturers achieve designs that maximize screen-to-body ratio and visible Display area.

Leveraging the enhanced capabilities and enhanced performance of the TCS3410, smartphones provide smoother, more responsive display brightness management even in the most challenging low-light conditions. Better white balance and image color correction contribute to superior camera performance. The module also eliminates the effects of banding and artifacts in photos and videos caused by high-frequency flicker from artificial light sources.

The TCS3410 ambient light and light source flicker detection sensor is in production and available to order. Evaluation boards are available from ams upon customer request.

Improved color (RGB) and light source flicker detection

Features of the TCS3410 include: high sensitivity, low noise red/green/blue (RGB), visible and light source flicker detection channels, high precision correlated color temperature (CCT), and ambient light measurement capability down to 1mlux. For light source flicker detection and ambient light sensing, adjustable gain up to 4096x enables excellent low light detection performance.

Improvements in light source flicker detection also extend the detectable light source flicker frequency range to 7kHz at up to 11-bit resolution.

The improved sensitivity and sampling rate of the TCS3410 enables smartphones to detect higher frequency flickering of light sources in lower light.

By completely redesigning the circuit and packaging, ams also makes it easier for smartphone manufacturers to place sensors in the bezel area. Compared to previous generation ALS products, the higher pixel sensitivity means that the sensor takes up less chip area with no loss in overall sensitivity. In the TCS3410, the sensors are distributed on one end of the package, so the area that needs to be exposed to ambient light (such as the camera aperture) can be as small as 0.28mm².

The TCS3410 operates from a 1.8V supply and has a configurable sleep mode to reduce average power consumption. The sensor includes an I²C interface that supports fast mode communication with the host processor at up to 1 Mbps.