Texas Instruments OPT3005DTSEVM

Overview

OPT3005DTSEVM from Texas Instruments is a dedicated evaluation module for the OPT3005 ambient light sensor IC, designed specifically for video surveillance camera applications. It comprises two PCBs: the OPTMB EVM motherboard (USB-C interface, MSP430F5503 bridge MCU) and the removable OPTCB coupon board hosting the OPT3005DTS IC. The system supports I²C communication, real-time lux measurement, automatic gain control, and 12 selectable conversion times from 600 μs to 800 ms.

For engineers reviewing the OPT3005DTSEVM datasheet, OPT3005DTSEVM pinout, OPT3005DTSEVM application, or OPT3005DTSEVM equivalent, this EVM enables rapid validation of ambient light sensing performance under varying illumination, verification of I²C register access and interrupt behavior, characterization of AGC response in dynamic lighting, and integration testing with host systems via USB-C and exposed test points.

Technical Context

The OPT3005DTSEVM implements a two-board architecture: the OPTMB EVM acts as a USB-to-I²C bridge using an MSP430F5503 microcontroller running TI Latte firmware, while the OPTCB coupon board hosts only the OPT3005DTS light sensor IC, decoupling capacitor C1, and eight-pin interconnect. Communication follows standard I²C protocol at up to 400 kHz, with INT pin support for hardware-triggered measurements.

Hardware design includes 100-mil-spaced test points on both boards, a depopulated 5-pin header (J2) for direct access to VDD, GND, SDA, SCL, and INT, and full schematic/PCB layout documentation available from TI. The EVM ships pre-assembled with the OPTCB board installed and powered via USB 5 V, regulated to 3.3 V by TPS73633DBVT LDO.

Key Specifications

Availability

OPT3005DTSEVM is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for video surveillance camera development, industrial ambient light calibration, and embedded optical sensor prototyping requiring stable component supply and full technical documentation.

Supply support for OPT3005DTSEVM 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, delivering analog and embedded processing solutions across industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.

The OPT3005DTSEVM belongs to TI's Light Sensor Evaluation Modules (OPTEVM) product line, engineered to accelerate development and validation of ambient light sensing functionality in real-world optical environments-especially where human-eye spectral response and video-system compatibility are critical.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the OPT3005DTSEVM?

The OPT3005DTSEVM is a dedicated evaluation module for the OPT3005 ambient light sensor IC, enabling engineers to validate its performance in video surveillance camera applications. It provides USB-C connectivity, real-time lux measurement via TI Latte GUI, configurable I²C operation (including AGC and oneshot modes), and physical access to all sensor signals through test points and headers. The OPT3005DTSEVM does not function as a standalone sensor-it requires the OPT3005DTS IC mounted on its coupon board to operate.

Does the OPT3005DTSEVM include the OPT3005DTS IC?

Yes, the OPT3005DTSEVM kit includes one OPTCB coupon board pre-installed with the OPT3005DTS ambient light sensor IC. The coupon board is removable and features 8-pin interconnect for mating with the OPTMB motherboard. This allows users to swap sensors or integrate the OPT3005DTS into custom platforms while retaining full evaluation capability via the OPTMB board and TI Latte software.

Which software is required to operate the OPT3005DTSEVM?

The OPT3005DTSEVM requires TI's Latte GUI software, available for download from the official Texas Instruments product folder for OPT3005DTSEVM. It supports Windows 10 through Windows 8, installs via executable (.exe), and provides real-time lux plotting, register-level access, conversion time selection (600 μs to 800 ms), AGC configuration, and CSV data export. No third-party drivers or SDKs are needed beyond the included USB CDC/ACM class driver.

Can the OPT3005DTSEVM be used with other OPT-series sensors?

No-the OPT3005DTSEVM is specifically configured and calibrated for the OPT3005DTS IC. While the physical coupon board socket accepts other DTS-package OPT sensors (e.g., OPT3001DTS, OPT3002DTS), TI does not guarantee functional compatibility, register mapping, or GUI support without firmware/software modification. Each OPTxxxDTSEVM variant (e.g., OPT4001DTSEVM) has unique calibration and GUI features aligned to its target sensor's capabilities.

What hardware interfaces does the OPT3005DTSEVM expose for custom integration?

The OPT3005DTSEVM exposes multiple hardware interfaces for custom integration: (1) USB-C port on the OPTMB board for host communication and power; (2) 100-mil-spaced test points for VDD, GND, SDA, SCL, and INT on both boards; (3) unpopulated 5-pin header (J2) on the OPTMB board for soldering direct access to VDD/GND/SDA/SCL/INT; and (4) the removable OPTCB coupon board itself, which can be interfaced with external systems via its 8-pin edge connector while retaining full OPT3005DTS functionality.