Time-of-Flight Ranging Sensor integrates 940nm VCSEL light source
Semiconductor company STMicroelectronics has released its second-generation laser-ranging sensor based on its FlightSense technology. The new sensor, the VL53L0, integrates a 940nm VCSEL light source, a SPAD photon detector, and an advanced microcontroller to manage the complete ranging function.
Time of flight sensors are used for fast autofocus in smartphones, proximity sensing, and object detection for robotics and IoT devices. With its small form factor of 4.4 x 2.4 x 1mm, the VL53L0 is claimed to be the smallest Time-of-Flight module in the world.
Being the market's first such module to use light emitted at 940nm, coupled to leading-edge infrared filters, the VL53L0 delivers ambient light immunity and is now invisible to the human eye, according to the company. The embedded microcontroller and digital algorithms minimise both the host processing and system power consumption in the final application.
"ST technology advancements in Time-of-Flight ranging sensors are enhancing the experience for millions of consumers, revolutionizing the way they take pictures and videos with their smartphones and tablets," said Eric Aussedat, general manager of ST's Imaging Division.
"ST introduced the first fully-integrated Time-of-Flight ranging sensor to the market in 2014, which was then successfully adopted by several leading OEMs for the laser-assisted autofocus function. Today, with the VL53L0, our next generation, ST is redefining the benchmark in ranging performance and creating the opportunity to develop new applications in robotics and the IoT."
