Optical sensors are quickly evolving to meet the fast-paced demands of smartphones and mobile devices. These increasingly sophisticated sensors include multi-channel ambient light sensors and integrated sensor modules, with continuous improvements in sensor sensitivity, accuracy, and dynamic range performance. With billions of devices manufactured per year, test throughput, repeatability, stability, and accuracy are critical to success. Current production test systems use traditional sources (bulbs or individual LEDs) or multiple LED based simulation systems, but these have limitations (high variability, insufficient throughput, and low resolution) making them unable to efficiently meet the test needs of the advanced optical sensors being developed and deployed.

We explore the system architecture of a novel high fidelity light source capable of creating, matching, and replicating spectra over the wavelength range of 380 to 780nm with 4.5nm FWHM resolution. This capability gives the ability to generate a near-infinite number of spectra ranging from incandescent to a highly structured source such as a compact fluorescent lamp. The system integrates a high brightness Laser Driven Light Source™ and a proprietary high throughput spectral light engine to achieve the needed repeatability, stability, and dynamic range performance.

The instrument was developed with automated test in mind and offers an easy-to-use application interface for system configuration, output characterization, creation and matching of test spectra, and storage of matched spectra to the instrument. The embedded controller deploys application firmware with onboard algorithms, data management, controls, system monitoring, a communications API, and a TTL interface for test system integration. Instrument architecture decisions and performance data such as repeatability, resolution, stability, and dynamic range will be presented.