Viavi Solutions announced the launch of a new miniaturized spectral sensing system-on-a-chip and multispectral sensor developer kit. This spectral sensor combines Viavi's 64-channel micro-patterned bandpass filter array and the high performance ESPROS hybrid CCD-CMOS imager, to make a miniature spectral sensor that is less than 2.7 x 2.7 x 1.1 mm in size. Two versions of the sensor will be offered – one for the visible range (385-900 nm) and one for the near infrared (NIR, 775-1065 nm). The size and projected cost of the sensor should bring sophisticated wavelength analysis and shortwave NIR spectroscopy within reach of consumer mobile devices such as smartphones. In the mobile space, the sensor has the potential to help consumers analyze the composition of food, beverages and medications. To build the market and enable customers to develop applications, Viavi and ESPROS are launching the SPM64 Developer Kit. The developer kit includes a prototype sensor mounted on a USB dongle-style circuit board with a microcontroller and several various light sources. The board, when connected via USB to a computer running the supplied software, sends pre-processed spectral information to the GUI and optionally a data file. A supplied API allows customers to write their own software to control the light sources and sensor, and to acquire and analyze data.