Abstract: A physiological sensor has light emitting sources, each activated by addressing at least one row and at least one column of an electrical grid. The light emitting sources are capable of transmitting light of multiple wavelengths and a detector is responsive to the transmitted light after attenuation by body tissue.

Abstract: A physiological sensor has intensity compensation introduced along an optical path from emission to detection so as to compensate for unequal tissue attenuation as a function of wavelength. The sensor has emitters configured to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths into a tissue site. At least one detector is capable of receiving the optical radiation after tissue attenuation. An equalization is capable of compensating optical radiation intensity so as to account for differences in tissue attenuation across at least a portion of the multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: A physiological monitor for determining blood oxygen saturation of a medical patient includes a sensor, a signal processor and a display. The sensor includes at least three light emitting diodes. Each light emitting diode is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength. The sensor also includes a detector, where the detector is adapted to receive light from the three light emitting diodes after being attenuated by tissue. The detector generates an output signal based at least in part upon the received light. The signal processor determines blood oxygen saturation based at least upon the output signal, and the display provides an indication of the blood oxygen saturation.