• New TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 photodiode provides higher sensitivity and much higher linearity than standard photodiodes on the market today
• Wearable devices using the TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 will be able to improve heart rate and SpO2 measurement in challenging ambient light conditions
• By using the TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202, manufacturers of wearable devices aimed at the premium segment of the market can differentiate their products through superior performance in vital signs measurement

Premstaetten, Austria and Munich Germany (April 6, 2023) -- ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in optical solutions, has launched the TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202, a photodiode that offers improved performance compared to existing standard photodiodes, including higher sensitivity to visible light in the green part of the spectrum, and increased linearity.

These improved features enable smart watches, activity trackers and other wearable devices to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) more accurately, by substantially reducing the effect of interference from ambient light, and improving the quality of the received optical signal.

Benefiting from various optimizations of the process technology with which the photodiode die is fabricated, the TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 achieves 30 times higher linearity in the infrared spectrum than standard photodiodes, according to ams OSRAM internal benchmarking.

Laboratory characterization also shows substantially increased sensitivity at the green wavelength used for heart rate measurement in photoplethysmography (PPG) – a technique that tracks the peaks and troughs of light absorption by blood vessels.

When used in PPG systems, the highly linear TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 will enable manufacturers of wearable devices to achieve much higher accuracy in SpO2 measurements in conditions exposed to strong or fast-changing ambient light intensity. A typical example of such conditions occurs when the user runs or cycles through a dense urban area and moves in and out of the shade thrown by tall buildings.

The TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202’s higher sensitivity to green wavelengths improves heart rate measurement by enabling the system to operate with lower LED light intensity, saving power and helping to extend battery run-time, while maintaining highly accurate measurements.

The TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202’s specially designed package with black sidewalls minimizes internal cross-talk, further decreasing error in optical measurements and increasing the stability of heart rate measurements.

Florian Lex, Product Marketing Manager at ams OSRAM, said: ‘Premium products in the wearable device market add value by providing vital signs measurements that the user can trust. By designing out the photodiode’s high non-linearity, which impairs the operation of SpO2 measurement circuits, ams OSRAM is enabling wearable device manufacturers to differentiate their products and secure a higher premium positioning in the competitive market for active lifestyle technology products.’
The TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 photodiode is in volume production now.

For sample requests or for more technical information, go to: https://ams-osram.com/products/photodetectors/photodiodes/osram-topled-d5140-sfh-2202

Product Image for the TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 photodiode.

Application Image for the TOPLED® D5140, SFH 2202 photodiode. 

About ams OSRAM
The ams OSRAM Group (SIX: AMS) is a global leader in optical solutions. By adding intelligence to light and passion to innovation, we enrich people’s lives. This is what we mean by Sensing is Life. With over 110 years of combined history, our core is defined by imagination, deep engineering expertise and the ability to provide global industrial capacity in sensor and light technologies. We create exciting innovations that enable our customers in the automotive, consumer, industrial and healthcare sectors maintain their competitive edge and drive innovation that meaningfully improves the quality of life in terms of health, safety and convenience, while reducing impact on the environment. Our around 22,000 employees worldwide focus on innovation across sensing, illumination and visualization to make journeys safer, medical diagnosis more accurate and daily moments in communication a richer experience. Our work creates technology for breakthrough applications, which is reflected in over 15,000 patents granted and applied. Headquartered in Premstaetten/Graz (Austria) with a co-headquarters in Munich (Germany), the group achieved over EUR 4.8 billion revenues in 2022 and is listed as ams-OSRAM AG on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ISIN: AT0000A18XM4).

Find out more about us on https://ams-osram.com