There are several approaches to selecting and compensating for a dark window. One of many approaches is the method described here.

Sample several different windows with various levels of darkness. Choose a window that is dark enough to optimize the balance between the aesthetics of the device and sensor performance. Note that the aesthetic evaluation is the subjective opinion of the designer; therefore, it is more important to see the window on the physical design rather than refer to window transmission specifications on paper. Make sure that the chosen window is not darker than absolutely necessary because a darker window allows less light to illuminate the sensor and therefore impedes sensor accuracy.

The window chosen for this application example is dark and has less than 7% transmission at 550 nm. Figure 9-3 shows the normalized response of the spectrum. Note that the equipment used to measure the transmission spectrum is not capable of measuring the absolute accuracy (non-normalized) of the dark window sample, but only the relative normalized spectrum. Also note that the window is much more transmissive to infrared wavelengths longer than 700 nm than to visible wavelengths between 400 nm and 650 nm. This imbalance between infrared and visible light decreases the ratio of visible light to infrared light at the sensor. Although it is preferable to have the window decrease this ratio as little as possible (by having a window with a close ratio of visible transmission to infrared transmission), the OPT3004 still performs well as shown in Figure 9-6.

Figure 9-3 Normalized Transmission Spectral Response of the Chosen Dark Window

After choosing the dark window, measure the attenuating effect of the dark window for later compensation. In order to measure this attenuation, measure a fluorescent light source with a lux meter, then measure that same light with the OPT3004 under the dark window. To measure accurately, it is important to use a fixture that can accommodate either the lux meter or the design containing the OPT3004 and dark window, with the center of each of the sensing areas being in exactly the same X, Y, Z location, as shown in Figure 9-4. The Z placement of the design (distance from the light source) is the top of the window, and not the OPT3004 itself.

Figure 9-4 Fixture with One Light Source Accommodating Either a Lux Meter or the Design (Window and OPT3004) in the Exact Same X,Y,Z Position

The fluorescent light in this location measures 1000 lux with the lux meter, and 73 lux with the OPT3004 under the dark window within the application. Therefore, the window has an effective transmission of 7.3% for the fluorescent light. This 7.3% is the weighted average attenuation across the entire spectrum, weighted by the spectral response of the lux meter (or photopic response).

For all subsequent OPT3004 measurements under this dark window, the following formula is applied.