Application Case | Samsung Galaxy Buds Core Equipped with Maxic Optical Sensor MT3103

Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy Buds Core true wireless earbuds deliver premium sound and technology with ease, bringing high-end functions to the mainstream market. The earbuds incorporate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a function typically found in higher-end models, allowing users to enjoy a quiet listening experience even in noisy environments such as subways or gyms. They also integrate the Galaxy AI intelligent interaction system, enabling convenient use through touch control and voice assistance.

The earbuds integrate multiple sensor chips, including Maxic’s proximity sensor for in-ear detection: MT3103. Based on optical proximity sensing technology, MT3103 enables precise wearing detection, automatic play/pause control, and high-efficiency power management, significantly enhancing user experience and battery life.

Power consumption is one of the key factors for TWS earbud design. MT3103 features ultra-low power operation, consuming minimal energy during normal operation and nearly zero power in standby mode—perfectly meeting the stringent power requirements of TWS devices. With its intelligent control and sleep mechanisms, the chip not only minimizes its own consumption but also helps reduce overall system power usage, contributing to the Galaxy Buds Core’s impressive 35-hour battery life on a full charge.

In addition, thanks to its superior signal-to-noise ratio and optical sensing technology, MT3103 delivers greater reliability and adaptability than capacitive solutions when dealing with complex ear canal structures or interference from sweat and oil, effectively eliminating false detections during workouts.

MT3103 is a compact, ultra-low-power digital optical proximity sensor with a high signal-to-noise ratio, an integrated 940nm VCSEL and standby power consumption as low as 0.7μA. Featuring Maxic’s proprietary adaptive noise suppression algorithm, it significantly improves in-ear detection efficiency. The chip is mainly used in TWS/OWS wireless earbuds, VR/AR smart glasses, smartwatches, and other portable smart devices.

Features：

• Ultra-compact design optimized for small wearable devices

• Wide operating temperature range: -30°C~85°C

• Ultra-low power consumption:Standby mode: <0.7μA；Operation mode: <10μA@20ms

• Designed with low noise technology and high ambient light suppression, achieving SNR>20 in extreme conditions

• Built-in VCSEL with a minimum drive current of 5mA and VCC support voltage of 2.5V

• Configurable pulse width and number for flexible settings

• 8 bits~16 bits selectable ADC resolution for more precise measurement；Support 1.2V I/O platform

MT3103 series optical proximity sensors integrate an infrared receiver, laser emitter, I²C interface, high-precision ADC, and programmable low-noise amplifier within a compact OLGA6 package, offering an optimized design for space-constrained applications. By adopting industry-leading signal-to-noise ratio, the chip achieves super noise suppression capability despite its miniature size. With built-in OTP and factory calibration functions, it effectively eliminates residual noise after module assembly.