Princeton Optronics is working with Google to apply VCSELs to 3D imaging
Princeton Optronics, a US based VCSEL manufacturer, has announced it is working with Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group (ATAP) on the development and deployment of compact mobile imaging systems that will enable users to interact with their environments in 3Ds.
Project Tango is led by Johnny Lee of Google ATAP, and commenting on Tango in a recent YouTube video, he said "We are physical beings that live in a 3D world. Yet mobile devices today assume that the physical world ends at the boundaries of the screen. Our goal is to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion."
"Its an honour and a tremendous motivator for Princeton Optronics to be part of Project Tango," said CEO Chuni Ghosh, "Working with ATAP and the other partners to bring this capability to the consumer is exciting and rewarding for our team at Princeton."
A key component in the Tango system is an illumination source which serves to enhance and expand the 3D space which the system can see. The highest power conversion efficiency in the industry and low speckle make Princeton Optronics VCSELs arrays preferred illumination devices for 3D applications. Additionally, the ability to be surface mounted and manufactured in high volume using conventional semiconductor processing means VCSEL arrays are well suited for high volume consumer electronics applications.
Princeton Optronics recently received approval for two patents (US Patent #s 8,675,706B2 and 8,783,893B1) for surface mounted VCSELs for illumination applications which uniquely positions them for this market. The arrays can be packaged in a variety of configurations for high volume applications, very similar to LEDs. The VCSEL arrays can be operated reliably up to 80degC and do not require a hermetically sealed housing, which reduces packaging costs. Chip sizes range from 0.1mm2 to 25mm2 and output powers from several milliwatts to hundreds of watts.
