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Precision Light Sensor

ID: 1127_0

Measures light intensities of up to 1000 lux and connects to an Analog Input or VINT Hub port.

Replaced by 1142_0

The Precision Light Sensor measures human perceptible light level in lux; its measurement range is from 1 lux (Moonlight) to 1000 lux (TV studio lighting)

Comes packaged with

Functional

Interface Boards and Hubs

This sensor can be read by any Phidget with an Analog Input or VINT Hub port. It will connect to either one using the included Phidget cable. VINT Hub ports can behave just like Analog Inputs, but have the added flexibility of being able to be used as digital inputs, digital outputs, or ports to communicate with VINT devices. For more information about VINT, see the VINT Overview page.

Product Voltage Inputs
Part Number Price Number of Voltage Inputs Voltage Input Resolution (bits)
1010_0
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 Mini-Format
$80.00 8 10 bit
1011_0
PhidgetInterfaceKit 2/2/2
$50.00 2 10 bit
1018_2B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$80.00 8 10 bit
1018_3B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$80.00 8
1019_1B
PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 w/6 Port Hub
$110.00 8 10 bit
1203_2B
PhidgetTextLCD 20X2 : White : Integrated PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8
$70.00 8 10 bit
DAQ1000_0
8x Voltage Input Phidget
$20.00 8 12 bit
HUB0000_1
VINT Hub Phidget
$30.00 6 (Shared) *** 15 bit
HUB0001_0
VINT Hub Phidget
$35.00 6 (Shared) * 15 bit
HUB0002_0
VINT Hub Phidget
$40.00 6 (Shared) *** 15 bit
HUB0007_0
1-Port VINT Hub Phidget
$24.00 1 (Shared) ** 16 bit
HUB5000_0
Wireless VINT Hub
$60.00 6 (Shared) * 16 bit
SBC3003_0
PhidgetSBC4
$120.00 6 (Shared) * 16 bit

Phidget Cables

This sensor comes with its own Phidget cable to connect it to an InterfaceKit or Hub, but if you need extras we have a full list down below. You can solder multiple cables together in order to make even longer Phidget cables, but you should be aware of the effects of having long wires in your system.

Product Physical Properties
Part Number Price Cable Length
3002_0
Phidget Cable 60cm
$2.00 600 mm
3003_0
Phidget Cable 10cm
$1.50 100 mm
3004_0
Phidget Cable 350cm
$3.00 3.5 m
3038_0
Phidget Cable 120cm
$2.25 1.2 m
3039_0
Phidget Cable 180cm
$2.75 1.8 m
CBL4104_0
Phidget Cable 30cm
$1.75 300 mm
CBL4105_0
Phidget Cable 90cm
$2.00 900 mm
CBL4106_0
Phidget Cable 150cm
$2.50 1.5 m
KIT4030_0
Phidget Cable Kit
$10.00 80 mm


Getting Started

Welcome to the 1127 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:


Next, you will need to connect the pieces:

1127 0 Connecting The Hardware.jpg
  1. Connect the 1127 to the HUB0000 with the Phidget cable.
  2. Connect the HUB0000 to your computer with the USB cable.


Now that you have everything together, let's start using the 1127!

Using the 1127

Phidget Control Panel

In order to demonstrate the functionality of the 1127, we will connect it to the HUB0000, and then run an example using the Phidget Control Panel on a Windows machine.


The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines. If you would like to follow along, first take a look at the getting started guide for your operating system:


Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the 1127.

First Look

After plugging in the 1127 into the HUB0000, and the HUB0000 into your computer, open the Phidget Control Panel. You will see something like this:

HUB0000 Panel.jpg


The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:

  • Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.
  • Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.
  • Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.


The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.

Voltage Input

Double-click on a Voltage Input object in order to run the example:

1018 Sensors VoltageInput.png


General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:

  • Modify the change trigger and/or data interval value by dragging the sliders. For more information on these settings, see the data interval/change trigger page.
  • Select the 1127 from the Sensor Type drop-down menu. The example will now convert the voltage into illuminance (lux) automatically. Converting the voltage to illuminance (lux) is not specific to this example, it is handled by the Phidget libraries, with functions you have access to when you begin developing!


Technical Details

General

The human eye is less sensitive to changes in light intensity than the 1127, but is able to see a wider range. The Human eye range is from 50µlx (starlight) to 100klx (extremely bright sunny day). The 1127, on the other hand, is able to measure from 1lx (Moonlight) to 1000lx (TV studio lighting). The 1127 is able to detect higher frequency fluctuations in light levels than the human eye. If you notice noise on the signal that you cannot perceive yourself, it is probably due to incandescent light flicker, or other varying light sources. This sensor is designed to respond to visible light, and it can sense light from concentrated sources like laser pointers (although be careful with high-power lasers, as they could damage the sensor). It will also have a very muted response to IR light that is close to the visible spectrum (700-800nm). The 1127 is non-ratiometric which means that you cannot rely on the sensor saturating at 5 volts. To be conservative, interpret a sensor voltage of over 4.75V as saturated, with the true light level being unknown.

Sensitivity Response

The 1127 uses the AMS104 light sensor package. The following graph illustrates the sensor's sensitivity to specific wavelengths of light.

AMS104.jpg

Formulas

The Phidget libraries can automatically convert sensor voltage into illuminance (lux) by selecting the appropriate SensorType. See the Phidget22 API for more details. The formula to translate voltage from the sensor into illuminance is:



Phidget Cable

Analoginput.jpg

The Phidget Cable is a 3-pin, 0.100 inch pitch locking connector. Pictured here is a plug with the connections labelled. The connectors are commonly available - refer to the Analog Input Primer for manufacturer part numbers.

What to do Next

  • Programming Languages - Find your preferred programming language here and learn how to write your own code with Phidgets!
  • Phidget Programming Basics - Once you have set up Phidgets to work with your programming environment, we recommend you read our page on to learn the fundamentals of programming with Phidgets.


This device doesn't have an API of its own. It is controlled by opening a VoltageInput channel on the Phidget that it's connected to. For a list of compatible Phidgets with Voltage Inputs, see the Connection & Compatibility tab.

You can find details for the VoltageInput API on the API tab for the Phidget that this sensor connects to.

Product Specifications

Sensor Properties
Sensor Type Light
Controlled By Voltage Input (0-5V)
Sensor Output Type Non-Ratiometric
Light Sensor
Response Time Max 20 ms
Measurement Error Max ± 5 %
Peak Sensitivity Wavelength 580 nm
Light Level Min 1 lx
Light Level Max (3.3V) 660 lx
Light Level Max (5V) 1 klx
Electrical Properties
Current Consumption Min 2 mA
Output Impedance 1 kΩ
Supply Voltage Min 3.3 V DC
Supply Voltage Max 5 V DC
Physical Properties
Operating Temperature Min -30 °C
Operating Temperature Max 85 °C
Customs Information
Canadian HS Export Code 8473.30.00
American HTS Import Code 8473.30.51.00
Country of Origin CN (China)

Documents

Product History

Date Board Revision Device Version Comment
May 2008 0 N/A Product Release

Have a look at our light sensors:

Product Sensor Properties Light Sensor
Part Number Price Sensor Type Controlled By Light Level Min Light Level Max (5V)
1142_0
Light Sensor 1000 lux
$7.00 Light Voltage Input (0-5V) 1 lx 1 klx
1143_0
Light Sensor 70000 lux
$7.00 Light Voltage Input (0-5V) 3 lx 70 klx
LUX1000_0
Light Phidget
$12.00 Light VINT 188 μlx 220 klx