Ams introduces a time-to-digital converter that provides high-precision optical ranging and 3D scanning

     Ams introduces the AS6500, a new high-resolution time-to-digital converter (TDC) with CMOS inputs and a compact package that addresses space and cost constraints. Time intervals as short as 5ns can be measured with an accuracy of 10ps. Based on AMS 'existing TDC-GPX2, the AS6500 offers up to 10ps resolution across four channels with a sampling rate of up to 1.5Ms/s.

     With high accuracy and high sampling rates, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and optical ranging systems in cars, drones and robots can make extremely detailed and precise ranging measurements over a wide field of view, enabling them to perform accurate object detection and avoidance. In virtual and augmented reality applications, high sampling rates and accuracy of up to 1 cm enable real-time 3D images.

     The AS6500 TDC is optimized for space, power consumption, and cost. Like the TDC-GPX2, it is an integrated four-channel converter IC that provides a single measurement resolution of up to 20psrms per channel in normal mode, as well as a 20ns pulse interval. When operating in dual-channel high-resolution mode, a maximum resolution of 10psrms and a pulse interval of 5ns can be achieved.The AS6500 features a new compact 40-pin QFN package measuring just 6mm x 6mm, a 56% reduction compared to the TDC-GPX2. The highly integrated design includes a 2MHz-12.5MHz reference clock input, meaning that few external components are needed.

     Powered by a 3.3V supply, the AS6500 consumes only 60mW in normal operation and 60µA in standby mode. It supports the CMOS interface of the host system and provides its calibrated output as a digital signal via the standard Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) for easy processing of data in the host controller or processor.

     The AS6500 is ideal for optical applications including general-purpose laser distance measurement in 1D, 2D and 3D, speed control, vehicle/truck scanning, object recognition, time-of-flight spectroscopy, automated test equipment (ATE), and biomedical technology and analytics.Ams offers a development kit, the AS6500-QF_DK, which includes programmer and GUI software for PCS that enable users to configure and connect their start and stop signals and initiate sampling time measurements in minutes.

     "More and more design teams are looking to implement laser ranging or 3D scanning systems in handheld devices or consumer electronics, and in many cases the design is limited by the limited space on the circuit board. Using the AS6500 not only allows designers to achieve very high accuracy and precision, but also limits the board footprint to a very small size." "The AS6500 provides key functionality for optical sensor systems and is compatible with both current AFD-based and future SPAD-based receiver components," said Norbert Breyer, product manager at AMS.