TCS3200, TCS3210

PROGRAMMABLE

COLOR LIGHT-TO-FREQUENCY CONVERTER

TAOS099A − AUGUST 2011

8

r

r

Copyright

E 2011, TAOS Inc.

The LUMENOLOGY

r Company

www.taosinc.com

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Measuring the frequency

The choice of interface and measurement technique depends on the desired resolution and data acquisition

rate. For maximum data-acquisition rate, period-measurement techniques are used.

Output data can be collected at a rate of twice the output frequency or one data point every microsecond for

full-scale output. Period measurement requires the use of a fast reference clock with available resolution directly

related to reference clock rate. Output scaling can be used to increase the resolution for a given clock rate or

to maximize resolution as the light input changes. Period measurement is used to measure rapidly varying light

levels or to make a very fast measurement of a constant light source.

Maximum resolution and accuracy may be obtained using frequency-measurement, pulse-accumulation, or

integration techniques. Frequency measurements provide the added benefit of averaging out random- or

high-frequency variations (jitter) resulting from noise in the light signal. Resolution is limited mainly by available

counter registers and allowable measurement time. Frequency measurement is well suited for slowly varying

or constant light levels and for reading average light levels over short periods of time. Integration (the

accumulation of pulses over a very long period of time) can be used to measure exposure, the amount of light

present in an area over a given time period.

PCB Pad Layout

Suggested PCB pad layout guidelines for the D package are shown in Figure 6.

2.25

6.90

4.65

1.27

0.50

NOTES: A. All linear dimensions are in millimeters.

B. This drawing is subject to change without notice.

Figure 6. Suggested D Package PCB Layout