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Hardware Overview

Let's take a closer look at the VEML7700 light sensor and other hardware on the SparkFun Ambient Light Sensor - VEML7700 breakout.

Photo of the SparkFun Ambient Light Sensor - VEML7700

VEML7700 Ambient Light Sensor

The VEML7700 Ambient Light sensor from Vishay Semiconductors is a compact digital ambient light sensor. It has a 16-bit resolution that detects ambient light from 0 lux to ~167 klux and features the Filtron™ technology to provide a close to real-eye response from the sensor. The VEML7700 accepts a supply voltage between 2.5V and 3.6V and draws a max of 45µA@3.3V while measuring and 0.5µA@3.3V in shutdown mode. Current draw during measurement can be as low as 2µA@3.3V depending on device settings though these also affect the sensor's sensitivity and responsiveness/refresh time. Refer to the table on page 8 of the datasheet for more information on power save modes and their effect on sensor performance. The VEML7700 communicates over I2C and has a 7-bit unshifted I2C address of 0x10. Refer to the sensor datasheet and Application Note for complete information on the VEML7700.

Qwiic & PTHs

This breakout has a pair of Qwiic connectors as well as a 0.1"-spaced PTH header connected to the VEML7700's VDD, Ground, SDA and SCL pins. All three of these connection options handle all power and communication for the VEML7700.

Power

The Ambient Light Sensor breakout can receive power either through one of the Qwiic connectors or through the 3.3V and GND PTH pins. The board's supply voltage is 3.3V when powered over Qwiic. If powering through the PTHs, the VEML7700 accepts a supply voltage between 2.5V and 3.6V.

LED

The sole LED on this breakout is the red Power LED. As the name suggests, this LED indicates when the board is powered on.

Solder Jumpers

The two solder jumpers on the board are labeled PWR and I2C. The PWR jumper completes the power LED circuit and is CLOSED by default. Open the jumper to disable the power LED to help conserve power drawn by the breakout. The I2C jumper is a three-way jumper that pulls the SDA/SCL lines for the VEML7700 to 3.3V through a pair of 2.2kΩ resistors and is CLOSED by default. Open this jumper to disable the pull-up resistors if needed.