Navigation sensors offer breakthrough performance for optical mice

Gina Roos

eeProductCenter (08/10/2005 5:30 PM ET)

Palo Alto, Calif. — Agilent Technologies Inc. has launched three new LED-based optical mouse sensors, each offering industry-best features for performance, power consumption and package size, according to the company. One sensor offers the lowest power consumption, which enables the longest battery life in cordless mice, while two entry-level sensors provide improved performance and tracking in the industry's smallest package for cordless and corded optical mice.

The new ADNS-3040 sensor is optimized for battery operation, and is said to offer the industry's lowest power consumption and longest battery life. The sensor provides up to 18 months of operation from alkaline AA battery cells. It operates from as low as 2.5 V and incorporates three self-adjusting power-saving modes.

With the mouse moving, the ADNS-3040 consumes a typical current of 2.9 mA compared with 13 mA for Agilent's existing ADNS-2030 mouse sensor. Depending on the selected power-saving mode, current consumption ranges from 30 microamperes (μA) to 500 μA with the mouse resting. Typical current consumption in power-down mode is approximately 1 μA.

In addition, the ADNS-3040 features an adjustable frame rate, which automatically matches the frame rate to the surface characteristics for optimum performance. If the navigation surface reflects light efficiently, for example, the sensor will tune for a higher frame rate to improve the tracking performance. This sensor offers a 400 or 800 count-per-inch (cpi) resolution, and speeds up to 20 inches per second (ips) , with acceleration rates of up to 8 g. It operates on a single power supply of 2.5 V to 3.3 V nominal. The ADNS-3040 is designed to be used with the Agilent ADNS-3120 lens, ADNS-2220 clip and HLMP-ED80 light emitting diode for a complete mouse sensor solution.

The entry-level ADNS-5030 sensor for cordless mice is supplied in the industry's smallest optical sensor package, which measures 9.9 (L) x 12.85 (W) x 4.32 mm (H). The sensor will operate for approximately four months from alkaline AA cells (3.3 V nominal). The frame rate mechanism is similar to the ADNS-3040 device, which automatically adjusts based on the surface characteristics for optimum performance. The sensor also offers up to 1000 cpi resolution and speeds up to 14 ips, with acceleration rates of up to 2 g.

The ADNS-5030 also provides automatic power conservation when the mouse is not moved, and its integrated 24 MHz oscillator and LED driver reduce component count for new mouse designs. The ADNS-5030 along with the ADNS-5100 lens, ADNS-5200 clip and HLMP-ED80 LED form a complete tracking system for wireless mice.

The ADNS-5020, also supplied in the same footprint as the ADNS-5030, is an entry-level mouse sensor optimized for LED-based corded mice. The sensor is an upgrade to Agilent's ADNS-2610 and ADNS-2620, which were previously the company's entry-level mouse sensors. The ADNS-5020 operates from 5 V and features the company's self-adjusting frame rate. It offers selectable 500 and 1000 cpi resolution, and speeds up to 14 ips, with acceleration rates of up to 2 g. The sensor incorporates a built-in 24 MHz oscillator, which eliminates the need for an external oscillator, and directly drives the LED light source, eliminating an external transistor. It also offers improved tracking to eliminate cursor jump. The ADNS-5020 also mates with the ADNS-5100 lens, ADNS-5200 clip and HLMP-ED80 LED.

The Agilent ADNS-3040 optical mouse sensor will be available in August 2005 in production volumes. Pricing for the ADNS-3040 starts at $3.90 each in low-volume quantities. Two versions of the ADNB-3042 bundle kit are offered: One combines the optical mouse sensor with ADNS-3120 lens, and HLMP- ED80-PS000 LED; the other includes only the optical mouse sensor and lens. Pricing for the ADNB-3042 bundle kit starts from $4.10 in low-volume quantities.

Engineering samples of the ADNS-5020 and ADNS-5030 optical mouse sensors will be available later this month to selected customers.

Agilent Semiconductor Products Group, 1-800-235-0312, www.agilent.com/view/opticalnavigation

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