STMicroelectronics Introduces World’s First All-in-One, Multi-Zone, Direct Time-of-Flight Module
October 27 2020 - 10:00AM
STMicroelectronics Introduces World’s
First All-in-One, Multi-Zone, Direct
Time-of-Flight Module
- Increased camera
Field-of-View coverage and spatial resolution enable new features
in consumer-electronics imaging systems: touch-to-focus,
multiple-target identification, flash dimming, video tracking
assistance
- Module integrates
Single Photon Avalanche Diode array, wide Field-of-View optics, and
low-power on-board processing
Geneva, October 27, 2020 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE:
STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers
across the spectrum of electronics applications, has extended its
portfolio of FlightSense™ Time-of-Flight (ToF)
sensors with the world’s first 64-zone device that breaks a scene
into separate areas to help an imaging system build the most
detailed spatial understanding of a scene.
This first-of-its-kind product comprises a 940nm Vertical Cavity
Surface Emission Laser (VCSEL) light source, a System-on-Chip
sensor integrating a VCSEL driver, the receiving array of Single
Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), and a low-power 32-bit MCU core
and accelerator running sophisticated firmware. The VL53L5 retains
the Class 1 certification of all ST’s FlightSense
sensors and is fully eye-safe for consumer products.
Housed in a miniature module, the VL53L5 ToF sensor contains
optical elements in the receive aperture that creates 64 ranging
zones, unlocking a host of new features and use cases.
“The multi-zone VL53L5 FlightSense direct
Time-of-Flight sensor uses our most advanced 40nm SPAD production
process to offer outstanding 4m ranging performance and up to 64
ranging zones that help an imaging system build a detailed spatial
understanding of the scene,” said Eric Aussedat, General Manager of
ST’s Imaging Division. “Delivering 64x more ranging zones than
previously available, the VL53L5 offers radical performance
improvement in laser autofocus, touch-to-focus, presence detection,
and gesture interfaces while helping developers create even more
innovative imaging applications.”
With a vertically integrated manufacturing model for its
FlightSense sensors, ST builds its SPAD wafers on
a 40nm proprietary silicon process in the Company’s
state-of-the-art 12” wafer plant at Crolles, France before
assembling all of the module components in ST’s back-end plants in
Asia. This approach delivers exceptional quality and reliability to
customers.
Customer development with the VL53L5 can build on ST’s strong
relationships with key smartphone and PC platform suppliers as ST
has pre-integrated the sensor onto these platforms. Android and
Windows device drivers are also widely available for the
FlightSense products. The VL53L5 is in mass
production with millions of units already shipped to leading
wireless and computer manufacturers.
Technical Notes to Editors: With each new
generation, ST’s Time-of-Flight technology has continued to build
significant high-value performance improvements across a wide range
of use cases including human-presence detection to control the
wakeup and hibernation of laptops or monitors and laser autofocus
in hybrid focusing algorithms for smartphone cameras. The autofocus
feature of ST’s FlightSense sensors is embedded in
most of the highest-ranking smartphone cameras according to
DXOMARK, an independent benchmark that assesses image
quality.
The camera subsystem is a major factor in differentiating
smartphone performance, and, within the camera, the laser autofocus
assures quick, accurate focusing in low-light scenes or when
capturing low-contrast targets. These scenarios present tough
challenges for conventional autofocus systems but are no problem
for ST’s sensors. Widely adopted by leading smartphone OEMs, laser
autofocus embedding ST’s FlightSense is now
shipping in more than 150 phone models.
Packaged in a 6.4 x 3.0 x 1.5 mm module, the VL53L5 integrates
both transmit and receive lenses into the module design and expands
the Field of View (FoV) of the module to 61-degrees diagonal. This
wide FoV is especially suited to detect off-center objects and
ensure perfect autofocus in the corners of the image. In the ‘Laser
Autofocus’ use case, the VL53L5 gathers ranging data from up-to 64
zones across the full FoV to support “Touch to Focus” and many
other features. This flexibility significantly enhances
smartphone/camera performance, convenience, and versatility.
Further flexibility is available via the SPAD array, which can
be set to favor spatial resolution, where it outputs all 64 zones
at up to 15fps, or to favor maximum ranging distance, where the
sensor outputs 4x4/16 zones at a frame rate of 60fps.
ST’s architecture can automatically calibrate each ranging zone
and direct Time-of-Flight technology allows each zone to detect
multiple targets and reject reflection from the cover-glass. In
addition, the FlightSense approach gathers the raw
data collected by the SPAD array and performs post processing, via
a proprietary, embedded MCU and accelerator before transferring the
ranging data to the system host over an I2C or a SPI bus. This
removes the need for a specific camera interface and powerful
receiver MCU and assures high-quality, high-performance
operation.
For further information please go to www.st.com/vl53l5-pr.
About STMicroelectronicsAt ST, we are 46,000
creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the
semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities. An independent device manufacturer, we work with our
100,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build
products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges
and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable
world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient
power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the
Internet of Things and 5G technology. Further information can be
found at www.st.com.
For Press Information Contact: Michael
Markowitz Director Technical Media Relations STMicroelectronics
Tel: +1 781 591 0354 Email: michael.markowitz@st.com
- P4281D -- Oct 27 2020 -- VL53L5 multi-zone direct ToF
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- P4281D -- Oct 27 2020 -- VL53L5 multi-zone direct ToF
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