Ams VCSEL illuminator assists Melexis in cabin monitoring solution

     Ams announced that it has provided high-performance infrared laser floodlights for the latest automotive iToF (indirect time of flight) display products of Melexis, the world's leading automotive semiconductor supplier.melexis improved EVK75027 iToF sensor kit uses the VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) floodlight illuminator of Ames Osram TARA2000-AUT series, because it has an integrated human eye safety interlock function. Compared with other VCSEL flood illuminators that require external photodiodes and processors, Ames Osram illuminators are more compact in size, while achieving more reliable and faster system response.

     Melexis's evaluation kit demonstrates the powerful capabilities of Ames Osram's new 940nm VCSEL floodlight, interface board, processor board and MLX75027 iToF sensor combination. The evaluation kit provides complete hardware equipment for realizing iToF depth perception, and auto OEMs can run software on this basis to realize cabin monitoring functions such as occupancy/passenger monitoring and gesture perception.

     Ams new VCSEL directly integrates the human eye safety interlock on the MLA (microlens array) of the VCSEL module, which can detect any cracks or holes that may cause human eye safety risks. In contrast, the previous automobile iToF sensors used indirect human eye safety interlocks. VCSEL illuminators need external photodiodes, which are prone to failure.

     The VCSEL flood illuminator readout circuit requires no additional components except the AND gate or MOSFET (Field Effect Transistor). Therefore, the response to the fault is almost instantaneous (<1 µ s). Compared with photodiode based systems, fewer components also reduce material costs. Through the integrated human eye safety interlock, the solution avoids the error signal caused by external photodiodes, such as the passenger's hand covering the camera module, so that the monitoring in the cabin is more accurate.

     EVK75027 evaluation kit is a complete time of flight (TOF) camera, which can be directly connected to a PC to display and record depth image data, and can directly access multiple configuration settings. At the same time, EVK75027 is a modular plug and play platform that customers can customize according to their needs.

     "Automotive OEMs have been looking for ways to simplify system design and reduce the number of parts. By integrating human eye safety interlocks in VCSEL illuminator modules, Ames Osram has found a new way to bring value to automotive customers. It can not only reduce the number of components, but also improve reliability, while providing the highest level of optical performance." According to Firat Sarialtun, Global Business Manager of In cabin Sensing of Ames Osram.

     "Through the EVK75027, Melexis not only provides an independent iToF sensor, but also provides a high-performance 3D in cabin perception platform for automotive customers. We are very pleased that this more integrated VCSEL omni illuminator brings greater value to the EVK75027." Gualtiero Bagnuoli, Marketing Manager of Melexis Optical Sensors, said.