Avago unrolls new line of transmissive photointerrupters

Avago Technologies recently announced its first series of transmissive photointerrupters targeted at office automation and vending machine applications.

In inkjet printers and all-in-ones, optical encoders are used to indicate the position, direction and speed of the printhead, while photointerrupters can provide functions such as indicating whether there is paper in the print path. Other applications for this non-contact detection capability include card detection in ATM machines, bill detection in vending machines, and a wide variety of other edge and position detection applications such as door sensors.

Avago's new product series consists of an IR-emitting LED and a silicon phototransistor to detect IR light—both mounted in a molded plastic package and separated by a slot. When an opaque object, such as a piece of paper or metal or plastic fin enters the slot, it is detected by the interruption of the light path between the emitter and detector.

The AEDS-9300 and 9310 photointerrupters feature a small Pb-free and RoHS-compliant package, and are specified for operation over the -25°C to 85°C temperature range. Their dimensions and electrical characteristics make them drop-in replacements for similar interrupters from other manufacturers.

The AEDS-9300 has a 2.7mm slot in a 14.3-by-6-by-9.5mm high package with horizontal mounting leads. The AEDS-9310 has a 5mm slot in a 14-by-6-by-10mm high package with vertical mounting leads. Both are priced at 78 cents each in 1,200-piece quantities. Samples and production quantities are available today.