Texas Instruments OPT3001EVM

Overview

OPT3001EVM from Texas Instruments is an evaluation module designed to accelerate development and validation of ambient light sensing systems using the OPT3001 digital ambient light sensor (ALS). It comprises two PCBs: the OPT3001 test board hosting the OPT3001DNP sensor with I²C interface, configurable interrupt, and precision 0.1 µF bypass capacitor; and the SM-USB-DIG host interface board providing USB-to-I²C translation, +3.3 V switched power (VDUT), and GPIO support. The kit enables rapid lux measurement, register-level configuration, and real-time backlight dimming simulation for display management applications.

For engineers reviewing the OPT3001EVM datasheet, OPT3001EVM pinout, OPT3001EVM application, or OPT3001EVM equivalent, this page delivers verified hardware architecture, software GUI functionality (including Register Map tab, Lux vs Sample Number plot, and data logging), I²C address selection, interrupt handling, and full bill-of-materials traceability - all essential for evaluating optical sensor integration in portable electronics, industrial HMI, and smart lighting control.

Technical Context

The OPT3001EVM implements a two-board architecture: the SM-USB-DIG board acts as a USB Human Interface Device (HID) under Windows® OS, translating USB commands into I²C transactions and delivering regulated +3.3 V power (VDUT) to the OPT3001 test board. The test board integrates the OPT3001DNP in DNP package with no on-board pull-up resistors for SDA/SCL (relying on SM-USB-DIG), a 10 kΩ pull-up on INT, and a 0 Ω jumper (R4) for ADDR grounding.

Software operation centers on a Windows-based GUI supporting real-time register read/write (x00–x0F), automatic lux computation, programmable high/low lux limits (registers x02/x03), simulated screen backlight dimming, and .tab-formatted data logging with host timestamp. All functions are validated against the OPT3001 SBOS681 datasheet and require no external components for basic operation.

Key Specifications

Availability

OPT3001EVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for ambient light sensor evaluation, optical calibration verification, and display backlight control prototyping requiring stable component supply and full technical documentation support.

Supply support for OPT3001EVM includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, specializing in analog, embedded processing, and sensing technologies with over 90 years of innovation in industrial, automotive, and consumer electronics.

The OPT3001EVM belongs to TI's sensor evaluation module product line, engineered specifically to de-risk optical system design by enabling immediate hands-on testing of the OPT3001's auto-ranging lux measurement, low-power modes, and I²C register interface without custom PCB development.

FAQ

What is the OPT3001EVM used for?

The OPT3001EVM is a dedicated evaluation module for the OPT3001 ambient light sensor IC. It allows engineers to configure registers, capture real-time lux measurements, validate interrupt behavior, simulate display backlight response, and log optical data - all without designing custom hardware. The OPT3001EVM is not a production-ready component but a development tool to accelerate sensor integration into end systems.

Does the OPT3001EVM require additional hardware to operate?

No. The OPT3001EVM operates out-of-the-box with only a Windows PC and the included USB cable. The SM-USB-DIG board provides all necessary I²C signaling, +3.3 V power (VDUT), and interrupt routing. No external pull-up resistors, power supplies, or logic analyzers are needed for basic functionality - confirmed by the user guide's "no additional components required" statement and schematic analysis.

What software is needed to use the OPT3001EVM?

The OPT3001EVM requires the proprietary Windows GUI software provided by Texas Instruments, distributed via CD or TI.com (literature number SBOU134A). It supports register-level access (x00–x0F), live lux plotting, data logging in .tab format, and simulated backlight dimming. The software installs using setup.exe and relies on built-in Windows HID drivers - no third-party drivers or SDKs are required to run the OPT3001EVM.

Can the OPT3001EVM be used with microcontrollers other than the SM-USB-DIG?

Yes. The OPT3001 test board features a 5-pin header (SCK, INT, SDA, VDUT, GND) and a 10-pin female connector, enabling direct connection to external hosts beyond the SM-USB-DIG. The schematic confirms uncommitted signals and no level-shifting circuitry, allowing integration with custom I²C masters - though full GUI functionality (plotting, logging) remains exclusive to the TI-provided Windows software running on the SM-USB-DIG platform.

Is the OPT3001EVM FCC-certified for emissions?

No standalone FCC certification is assigned to the OPT3001EVM. Per TI's Standard Terms and Conditions for Evaluation Modules, the kit is intended for R&D use only and must obtain separate FCC authorization if incorporated into a commercial product. The OPT3001EVM itself is not marketed as FCC-compliant; users bear responsibility for final system-level compliance testing when deploying the OPT3001 sensor in end equipment.