A Milestone for Laser Sensors in Self-Driving Cars

At electronica 2016 Osram Opto Semiconductors is showcasing a four-channel laser that takes LIDAR systems (Light Detection and Ranging) for autonomous or semi-autonomous driving a step closer.
 
The prototype laser has an extremely short pulse length and four parallel output channels. It offers completely new options for detecting objects and a unique vertical detection zone. This milestone in modern laser technology will be used for the first time in scanning LIDAR sensors based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Such solutions do not need any mechanism to redirect the laser beam so they are less susceptible to wear and tear. Together with Innoluce, an Infineon Technologies AG company and specialist in laser scanner technology, Osram is showing what the future of LIDAR systems may look like.
 
LIDAR sensors are an essential element in future fully autonomous or semi-autonomous self-driving cars. The system operates on the principle of time-of-flight measurement. A very short laser pulse is transmitted, hits an object, is reflected and detected by a sensor. From the time-of-flight of the laser beam it is possible to calculate the distance to the object. Scanning LIDAR systems scan the surroundings of the car horizontally with a laser beam across a certain angular segment and produce a high-resolution 3D map of the environment.
 
The 4-channel LIDAR laser from Osram Opto Semiconductors consists of a laser bar with four individually controllable laser diodes and a control circuit integrated in the module. The entire module is surface-mountable, which reduces assembly costs and the time needed for fine adjustment at the customer.
 
Due to the short pulse lengths, the 4-channel LIDAR laser for the first time enables a scanning LIDAR system to be produced in which the light beam is deflected via MEMS. Osram, together with its partner Innoluce, is presenting the prototype of such a system at electronica. The 2.7 x 2.3 mm2 MEMS chip is operated at up to two kilohertz and has been developed by Innoluce. The company was acquired by Infineon Technologies AG in October 2016. The overall system covers a field of view of 120° horizontal and 20° vertical and offers a resolution of 0.1° horizontal and 0.5° vertical. In daylight the range for detecting vehicles is at least 200 meters, and for pedestrians 70 meters.
 
Pulse laser diodes from Osram Opto Semiconductors have been in use in cars for more than 10 years – for example for time-of-flight (TOF) measurements in adaptive cruise control (ACC) systems and for emergency brake assist systems. The new laser is the latest addition to Osram’s product portfolio so that it can provide the best possible support for the many new developments in sensors for self-driving cars. Samples of the new 4 channel LIDAR laser will be available from the early summer of 2017, with market launch planned for 2018.