STMicroelectronics' World's Smallest Micromirror Scanning Technology Powers Intel RealSense High-Resolution LiDAR Depth Camera L515

     STMicroelectronics and Intel have teamed up to develop a MEMS micromirror capable of scanning ambient spaces. Intel used this micromirror to develop a lidar LiDAR system that provides high-resolution scanning solutions for industrial applications such as robotic arms, capacity measurement, logistics, and 3D scanning.

     In the Intel RealSense LiDAR camera L515, the compact STMicroelectronics micromirror plays an important role in making the LiDAR camera the size of a hockey ball (61mm diameter x 26mm height). Micromirrors enable continuous laser scanning across the entire field of view. Combined with a custom photodiode sensor, the RealSense LiDAR camera L515 can generate a 3D depth map of the entire scene.

     Benedetto Vigna, President of STMicroelectronics Analog, MEMS and Sensors Division, said: "At 30 frames per second and a 70° x 55° field of view, the second generation of micromirrors continues to be the benchmark for 3D scanning and inspection applications. Intel's long-standing micromirror supply relationship demonstrates that we continue to develop MEMS products that leverage our long-standing market leadership to meet our customers' stringent technical and supply requirements."

     Through the scanning function of STMicroelectronics MEMS, the L515 can provide high-resolution depth maps and controllable field of view without interpolating pixels, and achieve near-zero pixel blur through fast exposure times of 50nS.

     "Intel RealSense technology has been used to develop robotics, logistics, scanning products and solutions, and other computer vision applications," said Sagi BenMoshe, Intel's Chief Incubation Officer, Corporate Vice President, and General Manager, Emerging Growth Companies and Incubation. The RealSense LiDAR camera L515 has excellent measurement accuracy and is the world's smallest high-resolution LiDAR depth camera for a variety of application scenarios."