MIKROE Ambient 12 Click is a compact add-on board used to sense the amount of the present ambient light. This board features the BH1620FVC, an analog current-output type ambient light sensor from Rohm Semiconductor. It is characterized by spectral sensitivity close to human eyes sensitivity and outputs current in proportion to brightness. It also has four configurable modes of operation, shutdown mode in association with three gain modes, and low sensitivity variations of +/-15%. This Click board™ is the most suitable for obtaining ambient light data for adjusting brightness in applications that require power saving and better visibility.

Ambient 12 Click is supported by a mikroSDK compliant library, which includes functions that simplify software development.

Ambient 12 Click as its foundation uses the BH1620FVC, an analog current-output type ambient light sensor from Rohm Semiconductor. The BH1620FVC is composed of photodiodes, amplifiers, and current mirror circuits, where the output current, in proportion to brightness, is converted to the voltage value by an external resistor. It is characterized by spectral sensitivity close to human eyes sensitivity with low sensitivity variations of +/-15%.

It also has four configurable modes of operation, shutdown mode associated with three gain modes: high-gain mode with an illuminance detection range of 1000lx, medium-gain mode up to 10.000lx, and low-gain mode up to 100.000lx. The desire gain mode is selected through CS and PWM pins of the mikroBUS™ socket labeled as GC1 and GC2.

The output voltage of the BH1620FVC can be converted to a digital value using MCP3221, a successive approximation A/D converter with a 12-bit resolution from Microchip, using a 2-wire I2C compatible interface, or can be sent directly to an analog pin of the mikroBUS™ socket labeled as AN. Selection can be performed by onboard SMD jumper labeled as A/D SEL to an appropriate position marked as AN and ADC.

This Click board™ can operate with both 3.3V and 5V logic voltage levels selected via the VIO SEL jumper. This way, it is allowed for both 3.3V and 5V capable MCUs to use the communication lines properly. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing easy-to-use functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

• Interface: Analog, I²C
• Compatibility: mikroBUS™
• Dimensions: 28.6 x 25.4mm
• Input Voltage: 3.3V or 5V
• Maximum Output Current: 7.5mA
• Peak Wavelenght: 560nm
• Operating Temperature Range: Min. -40°C, Typ. +25°C, Max. +85°C

• Schematic
• BH1620FVC Datasheet
• mikroSDK
• GitHub