Milestone in optical mouse sensors

Agilent Technologies has shipped its 300 millionth optical mouse sensor since the release of its first navigation sensor in 1999.

Agilent Technologies has shipped its 300 millionth optical mouse sensor since the release of its first navigation sensor in 1999.

Agilent pioneered optical sensing for mouse technology and supplies these sensors to all major optical mouse manufacturers worldwide.

Today, optical mice using Agilent sensors range from inexpensive entry-level models to high-precision, dual-sensor versions with scroll wheels and multiple programmable function buttons.

There are also miniature mice that are ideal for use with laptop computers, and cordless optical mice that use power-saving technology for long battery life.

Agilent has achieved many milestones since the release of its first optical mouse sensor in 1999.

In 2001, Agilent introduced the first low-power optical mouse sensor for cordless optical mice and codeveloped the first USB and PS/2 optical mouse reference design kit.

In 2002, the company introduced the world's smallest optical mouse sensor and codeveloped the first high-performance USB and PS/2 optical mouse reference design kit.

And in 2004, Agilent codeveloped the first high-performance 27MHz USB wireless optical mouse reference design kit and the first 2.4GHz USB wireless mouse/keyboard reference design kit.

Agilent's highest-performance sensors provide image-processing power of 5.8Mpixel of surface information per second for enhanced tracking.

The sensors also capture more surface area per image to provide smooth, fluid tracking, and offer 800 counts per inch resolution, enabling more accurate cursor control on 17 and 19in and larger screens.

The most impressive feature of the optical engine is its ability to track movements up to an acceleration of 15g, and a maximum speed of 40 inches per second.

The operation of the navigation sensor begins when the user moves the mouse.

The optical mouse illuminates the work surface with an LED to reveal a microscopic pattern of highlights and shadows.

These patterns are reflected onto the mouse's navigation sensor, which takes thousands of pictures per second.

The pictures are processed to determine the mouse's direction and distance of movement.

The computer then accesses the motion information, directing the precise position of the computer's on-screen cursor.

Optical mice eliminate the need for a mouse pad and offer more precise pointing and movement than mechanical mice.

Because optical mice have no ball or cavity, no cleaning is necessary, making them more reliable and longer lasting.

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