Parallax TSL1401-DB Instructions Manual page 2

Introduction
What the Module Sees
The TSL1401R chip is a linear array (linescan) sensor. It consists of a single row of 128 photodetectors.
The TSL1401-DB includes a lens to form images on the sensor array. What results is somewhat like
peering through the narrow crack of a partially opened door to see a thin slice of what lies behind it. The
illustration below helps to explain the concept:
TOP VIEW
The output from each observed pixel is an analog voltage proportional to light intensity. The analog
intensity curve corresponding to the image above would look something like this:
© Bueno Systems, Inc. • TSL1401-DB (2009.10.01) Page 2 of 52