ON Semiconductor Releases World's First Automotive-Grade Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) Array for LiDAR Applications

     ON Semiconductor, driving energy-efficient innovations, announced the new RDM series of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays, extending LiDAR sensor capabilities to its broad lineup of intelligent sensing solutions. The ArrayRDM-0112A20-QFN is the first automotive-qualified SiPM product on the market, addressing the growing demand for LiDAR applications in the automotive industry and beyond.

     The ArrayRDM-0112A20-QFN is a monolithic 1×12 SiPM pixel array based on ON Semiconductor’s market-leading RDM process that achieves high sensitivity to near-infrared (NIR) light, resulting in an industry-leading sensitivity at 905 nanometers (nm). 18.5% Photon Detection Efficiency (PDE) (1). The high internal gain of the SiPM enables its sensitivity to reach single-photon levels, which in combination with the high PDE enables detection of the faintest return signals. Therefore, even low-reflection targets can be detected at greater distances.

     SiPM technology has gained momentum in recent years and has become the sensor of choice for broad market depth sensing applications due to its unique feature set. SiPM provides the best signal-to-noise performance for long distance ranging in bright sunlight. Other advantages include lower supply bias and lower sensitivity to temperature changes, making it an ideal upgrade for systems using conventional avalanche photodiodes (APDs). SiPMs are produced in a high-volume CMOS process that enables the lowest detector cost, enabling LiDAR solutions for a broad market.

     Using lasers to measure the distance of objects spans automotive, consumer and industrial applications. In the automotive sector, LiDAR can be used to enhance safety and driver assistance systems (ADAS), assisting functions such as lane keeping and traffic jam assist by complementing and providing redundancy with other perception modalities. LiDAR is becoming pervasive in fully autonomous driving use cases, such as robotic transportation, to safely navigate the environment in real-time. Benefiting from the high PDE of the ArrayRDM-0112A20-QFN, LiDAR systems supporting these functions have been demonstrated to range over 300 meters. The greater distance gives the vehicle more time to deal with unexpected obstacles.

     "LiDAR provides high-resolution depth data for instant and accurate object recognition in challenging low-light conditions," said Wade Appelman, Senior Director, Automotive Perception Division, ON Semiconductor. "The ArrayRDM-0112A20-QFN is the first automotive-compliant SiPM. , will provide long-range, cost-effective LiDAR solutions for the next level of safety and autonomy. We are continuously enhancing our sensor portfolio to provide diverse and complementary perception modes for higher levels of ADAS and autonomous driving Pave the way."

     Pierrick Boulay, Technology and Market Analyst at Yole, said: “Yole Développement (Yole) sees LiDAR as a key component to achieve full autonomy in cars, which must be functional at level 2+ and above. Production compliant with sufficient performance levels of sensors, will be a key driver for the mass adoption of LiDAR in automotive applications, with a projected CAGR of +144% between 2019 and 2025(2) based on current trends.”