Mini biometric IRED that enables face recognition on smartwatches

     Osram has introduced its smallest new infrared LED (IRED) biometric products, the SFH 4170S and SFH 4180S. Both new IRED models are small in size and powerful in power, which will not only help mobile device manufacturers solve the problem of data reliability and security, but also provide more imagination for product design.

     As people rely more and more on mobile digital products such as smartphones and smart watches, the security of personal privacy and sensitive data becomes more and more important. A variety of biometric-based protections have emerged to provide users with a robust "lock" against unauthorized access. For mobile device manufacturers, not only should safety be considered technically, but component size also plays a crucial role in product design.

     Compared with large-screen smartphones, smart watches need to achieve various intelligent functions in a smaller volume. Osram's customized Oslon P1616 package sizes are just 1.6 mm x 1.6 mm x 0.85 mm, making the SFH 4170S and SFH 4180S the smallest components in OSram's biometric applications. Both IRED models reduce design space by 50% compared to similar models currently on the market.

     Despite their small size, both IRED products have a powerful power of 1150 mW at current up to 1A and a radiation intensity of 280 mW/sr, which is particularly important for 2D face recognition. 2D face recognition scans two-dimensional features of the user's face, such as the length of the nose bridge, the distance between eyes, the length of the mouth, etc., and compares and recognizes the images stored in the system. In order to identify fine features more reliably, infrared cameras must be able to capture the best images, so it is essential to use a high-power infrared light source to illuminate the face evenly, which is the core advantage of OSram IRED products.

     Depending on the ultimate use case, customers have the flexibility to choose between 850 nm (SFH 4170S) or 940 nm (SFH 4180S). In the wavelength range of the SFH 4170S, the image sensor has higher sensitivity, while the SFH 4180S is able to avoid the "red exposure" effect visible to the human eye, which is also a common requirement in consumer electronics applications.

     Arnefleßner, product manager at OSram Opto Semiconductors, explains: "Biometrics will become an increasingly important part of our lives in the future. "We are proud to introduce two new IRED products that allow for more flexible integration into our customers' end devices, ensuring safety, reliability and space savings while helping to protect sensitive user data."