STMicroelectronics Direct Time-of-Flight sensor uses less energy – EE Times Asia

STMicroelectronics’ latest FlightSense Time-of-Flight (ToF) distance sensor for camera management for smart phones and augmented / virtual reality has significant improvements to many key components. It offers up to double range performance – up to 4m in all indoor zones – while halving power consumption compared to the previous generation unit, when used under normal conditions.

“ST’s ToF technology has had enormous commercial success and is now available in more than 200 smartphone models and 100 PC, projector and robot products. Now the VL53L8 FlightSense sensor takes varying performance and energy efficiency to new levels,” says Eric Aussedat, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Imaging Sub-Group within ST’s Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group. “Our latest generation distance sensor is a game changer. With its innovative metasurface lens technology and energy-efficient architecture, it reduces battery charge, increases the camera’s autofocus distance and improves scene comprehension. “

Developed in collaboration with Metalenz, the world’s first optical metasurface technology enables optical systems to collect more light, provide multiple functions in a single layer and deliver new forms of sensing in smartphones and other devices, all in their compact packaging.

VL53L8 is ideal for smartphones and tablets in both user-facing and world-facing applications, but also for accessories in the personal electronics segment such as smart speakers and AR / VR / MR. The user-friendly applications include object tracking and gesture recognition. World-class applications include laser autofocus, camera selection, touch-to-focus and flash dimming – the VL53L8 will provide even greater benefits for these functions in low light. The sensor can also support indoor / outdoor detection and bracketing with smart focus, as well as consumer LiDAR, where depth mapping is required.

The module embeds a high-output 940nm VCSEL light source, a System-on-Chip sensor with a built-in VCSEL driver, the reception array of SPADs and a low-power 32-bit MCU core. The VL53L8 uses metasurface lens technology in both the transmission and reception openings. In addition, just like the VL53L5, the new sensor delivers 16 or 64 discrete distance zones with stable and accurately improved distance.

VL53L8 builds on the innovations of previous ST ToF sensors including VL53L5. The second-generation distance sensor incorporates efficient optically diffractive metasurface lens technology, manufactured at the company’s 300 mm plant in Crolles, France. By combining a new VCSEL driver that is 3 times more capable than the previous generation with an efficient VCSEL, the VL53L8 can, under comparable conditions, deliver twice as high performance as the VL53L5 or reduce power consumption by 50%. It delivers this performance while maintaining the same field of view and discrete output area zones (4 × 4 at 60 frames per second or 8 × 8 at 15 frames per second). For easy system integration, the sensor is housed in a single reflux component that offers 1.2V and 1.8VI / O compatibility and significantly reduces the host processor load compared to the requirements of the first generation sensor.

Like all other FlightSense ToF proximity sensors, the VL53L8 retains an IEC 60825-1 Class 1 certification and is completely eye-safe for consumer products with an advanced lens separation system.