German-based company Silicann Technologies has launched a new USB-connected perceptive colour sensor, called PCS-II, with a spectral sensitivity which is said to model that of the human eye, designed for high-speed industrial control and measurement applications.

The sensor offers industrial colour recognition for up to 255 user-defined colours and operational modes include colour control, colour recognition, colour classification and colour measurement. Illumination is provided by a white LED with adjustable brightness. Relative accuracy (according to a sampled reference colour) is better than DE=0.5.

Its integrated photodetector uses filter curves that correspond to visual responses. Internal signals are processed in the sensor’s controller, mimicking human colour perception. PCS-II provides a way to accurately simulate the ‘visual impression’ of the human eye in high-speed (kHz) industrial colour control. Additionally, special functions such as colour grouping, ambient light suppression for luminous objects or master-slave operation allow applications that have previously proved problematic.
 
Applications include colour sensing emitted light from LEDs, LCD displays and other displays and monitors, as well as sensing reflected light from paint, print, textiles and plastics. Other applications include colour sorting or control in chemicals.