Abstract: A CMOS optical detector includes a plurality of optical elements for a device for detecting parameters of moving yarn or another linear textile formation on textile machines by means of a perpendicular projection of yarn onto individual optical elements of a sensor with the aid of one source of radiation. The optical elements are arranged in two parallel rows perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn. Each optical element produces an output analog signal corresponding to the intensity of its irradiation. The individual optical elements of the first row are oriented to have their longer sides in the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn, whereas the optical elements of the second row are oriented to have their longer sides perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the projection of yarn.