Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) announced an optical sensor for gesture recognition. The company says the ADUX1020 improves accuracy and reliability over existing solutions by measuring a subject’s position, proximity and gestures from a single sensor. ADI claims that competitive solutions requiring multiple sensors can be inaccurate, as the sensors “see” objects differently from varying angles, making the signals difficult to combine. The single-point sensing used in the ADUX1020 optical sensor improves application reliability and reduces design complexity and cost for the system developer by requiring fewer components.
Analog Devices' ADUX1020 optical sensor—unlike conventional touchscreens—recognizes “in-air” gestures; it is not affected by things like water droplets on screens or users wearing gloves. Image source: Analog Devices, Inc. Gesture recognition is an emerging user interface method in building and industrial control panels, where a user interacts with a device simply by motioning or gesturing. It is especially important in situations where touch-screen interfaces are challenged, such as in wet conditions, when a user is wearing gloves, or when a control panel is difficult to reach.
Optical sensors are often challenged by ambient light from sources like full sun, high-frequency light-emitting diode and fluorescents, all of which can disrupt the sensor’s ability to interpret gestures accurately. The ADUX1020 features high ambient light rejection, allowing reliable and accurate operation under challenging lighting conditions.
Product Pricing and Availability
The ADUX1020, supplied in a 2 mm x 3 mm, 8-lead LFCSP package (part number ADUX1020BCPZ), is available now for sampling and in production quantities. It is unit-priced at $3.49 in 1,000-piece quantities. An evaluation board (ADUX1020BCPZ-EVAL-SDP; $119.00) is available now—as is an add-on board with high-power LED for longer-range operation (ADUX1020BCPZ-EVAL-SDP; $29.00).
