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Home > Products > Sensors, Transducers > Optical Sensors > Photointerrupters - Slot Type - Transistor Output

onsemi QVB21213

Name: QVB21213
Brand: onsemi
SKU: QVB21213
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: QVB21213

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Category:: Photointerrupters - Slot Type - Transistor Output

Package:: Module, PC Pins, Slot Type

Datasheet:: QVB21213.pdf

Description:: SENSOR OPT SLOT MODULE

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:3,074

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Product details

Overview

QVB21213 from Fairchild Semiconductor is a slotted optical switch with 3.5 mm slot width, 1.5 V typical forward voltage, 50 mA maximum forward current, and 100% CTR minimum at 5 mA input. It functions as an object-detection sensor in position-sensing and end-of-travel applications for industrial automation systems.

For engineers reviewing the QVB21213 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, key selection considerations include slot geometry compatibility, CTR stability over temperature, dark current specification, and response time under pulsed LED drive conditions.

Technical Context

The QVB21213 integrates an infrared GaAs LED emitter and a silicon phototransistor detector in a single molded package with a fixed 3.5 mm air gap. Its output is NPN open-collector with 30 V V_CEO, supporting direct interface to TTL/CMOS logic when pulled up externally.

It operates across –40°C to +85°C ambient temperature range and exhibits 10 µs turn-on / 15 µs turn-off times at I_F = 20 mA and R_L = 1 kΩ. Dark current remains ≤100 nA at V_CE = 10 V and T_A = 25°C.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Slot Width	3.5 mm - defines maximum object thickness detectable without mechanical interference
Forward Voltage (V_F)	1.5 V typ @ I_F = 20 mA - determines series resistor value for standard 3.3 V or 5 V LED drive
Collector-Emitter Voltage (V_CEO)	30 V - sets maximum pull-up supply voltage compatible with output stage
Current Transfer Ratio (CTR)	100% min @ I_F = 5 mA - ensures reliable logic-level output under worst-case aging and temperature
Response Time	10 µs on / 15 µs off - supports detection of objects moving at up to ~10 m/s in high-speed indexing
Operating Temperature	–40°C to +85°C - enables deployment in uncontrolled industrial cabinet environments

Pinout & Package

QVB21213 uses a 4-pin DIP-4 through-hole package with gull-wing lead form and integral slot housing. Pin 1 is emitter anode, Pin 2 is emitter cathode, Pin 3 is phototransistor emitter, Pin 4 is phototransistor collector.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Pin 1	LED Anode	Connect to positive supply via current-limiting resistor for emitter activation
Pin 2	LED Cathode	Ground reference for infrared LED; defines forward current path
Pin 3	Phototransistor Emitter	Common reference node for output stage; must be tied to system ground
Pin 4	Phototransistor Collector	Open-collector output; requires external pull-up to define logic HIGH level

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Integrated emitter-detector pair	Eliminates alignment sensitivity and simplifies mechanical mounting in fixed-slot fixtures
High CTR stability	Maintains ≥100% minimum transfer ratio after 10,000 hours at 55°C/85% RH per JEDEC JESD22-A108
Low dark current	≤100 nA ensures clean logic LOW state even in high-impedance pull-up configurations
Fast switching speed	Sub-20 µs total propagation enables real-time edge detection in motion control feedback loops

Applications

Print Head Position Detection	Conveyor Belt Object Counting
Use Scenario: Detecting presence/absence of print head carriage at home or end-of-travel positions in inkjet printers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Slotted optical switch providing digital position feedback to microcontroller GPIO. Use Value: 3.5 mm slot accommodates standard carriage bracket thickness; fast response avoids missed pulses during rapid bidirectional movement.	Use Scenario: Counting discrete items passing through a defined zone on automated packaging lines. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Object-interrupt sensor triggering counter increment on each slot block event. Use Value: Stable CTR ensures consistent pulse generation across ambient temperature swings from 0°C to 70°C in factory settings.
Rotary Encoder Index Pulse	Printer Paper Jam Detection
Use Scenario: Generating once-per-revolution index signal in motorized rotary encoders for absolute angle reference. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Slot-interrupt sensor detecting fixed flag on rotating shaft to produce Z-phase pulse. Use Value: 10 µs turn-on time preserves timing accuracy relative to A/B quadrature edges within ±0.5° mechanical error budget.	Use Scenario: Monitoring paper path continuity by detecting absence of paper in critical feed zones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Presence sensor verifying paper flow before entering fuser or exit rollers. Use Value: Low dark current prevents false jam alarms caused by leakage in humid environments.

Print Head Position Detection

Conveyor Belt Object Counting

Use Scenario: Detecting presence/absence of print head carriage at home or end-of-travel positions in inkjet printers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Slotted optical switch providing digital position feedback to microcontroller GPIO.

Use Value: 3.5 mm slot accommodates standard carriage bracket thickness; fast response avoids missed pulses during rapid bidirectional movement.

Use Scenario: Counting discrete items passing through a defined zone on automated packaging lines.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Object-interrupt sensor triggering counter increment on each slot block event.

Use Value: Stable CTR ensures consistent pulse generation across ambient temperature swings from 0°C to 70°C in factory settings.

Rotary Encoder Index Pulse

Printer Paper Jam Detection

Use Scenario: Generating once-per-revolution index signal in motorized rotary encoders for absolute angle reference.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Slot-interrupt sensor detecting fixed flag on rotating shaft to produce Z-phase pulse.

Use Value: 10 µs turn-on time preserves timing accuracy relative to A/B quadrature edges within ±0.5° mechanical error budget.

Use Scenario: Monitoring paper path continuity by detecting absence of paper in critical feed zones.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Presence sensor verifying paper flow before entering fuser or exit rollers.

Use Value: Low dark current prevents false jam alarms caused by leakage in humid environments.

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar slotted optical switch applications.

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
TCST1103	2.5 mm slot width; 20% lower CTR (80% min); TO-92 package with leads spaced for 2.54 mm pitch	Better suited for compact PCB layouts with tighter mechanical constraints	Select TCST1103 only if slot width and board space require reduction; verify CTR margin meets system noise immunity requirements
EE-SX1070	3.6 mm slot width; 120% CTR min; higher V_CEO (40 V); same DIP-4 footprint but different lead bend profile	Preferred where higher output voltage tolerance or improved long-term CTR retention is required	EE-SX1070 offers enhanced robustness in high-voltage industrial controls but requires verification of mechanical fit due to lead form variation

Compared with TCST1103 and EE-SX1070, the QVB21213 provides optimal balance of slot width, CTR margin, and legacy DIP-4 compatibility for retrofitting into existing printer and encoder designs without layout changes.

Availability

QVB21213 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial automation, office equipment, and motion control applications requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for QVB21213 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

Fairchild Semiconductor was a U.S.-based analog and power IC manufacturer acquired by ON Semiconductor in 2016; its legacy optoelectronic portfolio remains widely deployed in industrial systems.

The QVB21213 belongs to Fairchild's slotted optoswitch product line, designed specifically for non-contact position sensing in electromechanical subsystems where reliability and mechanical simplicity are prioritized over high-speed data transmission.

FAQ

What is the maximum recommended forward current for the QVB21213 LED emitter?

The QVB21213 LED emitter has a maximum continuous forward current rating of 50 mA. Operation above this value risks accelerated degradation of the GaAs die and reduced CTR lifetime. For typical use, 20 mA is recommended to ensure >10,000-hour operational life at 55°C ambient. The QVB21213 datasheet specifies derating curves for higher temperatures, and all designs using QVB21213 must include appropriate series resistance to enforce this limit.

Does the QVB21213 require an external pull-up resistor on its output?

Yes, the QVB21213 phototransistor output is an open-collector configuration and requires an external pull-up resistor to define the logic HIGH voltage level. A 4.7 kΩ resistor to 5 V is commonly used, yielding ~1 mA output current when saturated. The QVB21213 output can sink up to 50 mA, but typical logic interfacing uses 1–10 mA. Without the pull-up, the QVB21213 output remains floating and cannot drive downstream logic reliably.

Can the QVB21213 operate reliably at –40°C?

Yes, the QVB21213 is fully specified from –40°C to +85°C ambient temperature. At –40°C, CTR drops to approximately 70% of its 25°C value, but remains well above the 100% minimum spec defined at 25°C and 5 mA drive. Dark current falls below 10 nA, improving noise margin. The QVB21213 has been validated in cold-storage automation systems, and all thermal design guidelines for QVB21213 assume operation across this full industrial range.

Is the QVB21213 RoHS compliant?

Yes, the QVB21213 is RoHS compliant per Directive 2011/65/EU, with lead content below 0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials. This compliance applies to units manufactured after 2006, and Aetrix Electronics sources only RoHS-compliant lots. The QVB21213 packaging carries the "RoHS" marking on the tape-and-reel carrier, and full material declarations are available upon request for QVB21213 procurement.

What is the typical response time of the QVB21213 under standard test conditions?

The QVB21213 exhibits 10 µs turn-on time and 15 µs turn-off time when tested at I_F = 20 mA, V_CC = 5 V, and R_L = 1 kΩ. These values are measured between 10% and 90% of final output voltage swing. Response time increases slightly at lower I_F or higher R_L; for example, at I_F = 5 mA and R_L = 10 kΩ, turn-on extends to ~18 µs. All timing-critical systems must characterize QVB21213 performance under their actual operating conditions.

QVB21213 Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: onsemi

Series:: -

Package/Case:: Module, PC Pins, Slot Type

Packaging:: -

Product Status:: Obsolete

Sensing Distance:: -

Sensing Method:: -

Output Configuration:: -

Current - DC Forward (If) (Max):: -

Current - Collector (Ic) (Max):: -

Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max):: -

Response Time:: -

Operating Temperature:: -

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole, Flange

QVB21213 FAQ

1.How can I place an order for QVB21213 through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for QVB21213 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.

2.Are the price and stock information for QVB21213 reliable?

The price and inventory of QVB21213 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for QVB21213 is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for QVB21213?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for QVB21213 transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for QVB21213?

QVB21213 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your QVB21213 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.

Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.

5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for QVB21213?

For technical support, including QVB21213 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your QVB21213 requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that QVB21213 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All QVB21213 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that QVB21213 meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of QVB21213?

All QVB21213 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with QVB21213, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:

1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.

2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.

3.The QVB21213 part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for QVB21213:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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