News: Optoelectronics
28 October 2021
ams OSRAM expands VCSEL portfolio for ToF 3D sensing
ams OSRAM of Premstaetten, Austria has expanded its 3D sensing portfolio with four new vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) modules in the Bidos P2433 Q family of flood illuminators.
The number of applications that utilize 3D sensing technology continues to increase: From the detection of the surroundings for robots to avoid collisions to the unlocking of smartphones via facial recognition. But 3D sensing also plays an important role for augmented-reality and virtual-reality (AR/VR) glasses. ams OSRAM says that, due to components like its Bidos P2433 Q family of flood illuminators, various gestures can be reliably captured, raising the interaction between user and AR/VR glasses to a new level. The compact package also allows specific design flexibility.
For augmented- and virtual-reality devices, as well as other 3D world-facing applications, the focus is on maximum user experience combined with compact and light-weight design. In the 3D sensing market, VCSELs have a huge impact due to their good beam quality, cost efficiency and simple design. “With the expansion of our Bidos family we offer one of the smallest VCSEL packages available on the market for 3D applications at given power levels and field-of-illumination,” claims product manager Simon Gubser. “By integrating the matching emitter and photodiode in one compact module, we reduce the installation effort for our customers significantly,” he adds.
Picture: ams OSRAM's new Bidos P2433 Q family of VCSEL modules for 3D sensing.
The Bidos P2433 Q is available in four different versions including two different fields-of-illumination and two output power levels. With a size of 3.3mm x 2.4mm, the VCSEL-based modules are suitable for 3D sensing applications using time-of-flight (ToF) measurement, which require homogeneous illumination of the scene. Due to their wavelength of 940nm, all modules are also free from the red glow effect, which is perceived by the human eye as a disturbing flickering.
In addition to the two 3W modules (with fields of illumination of 63°x50° and 74°x61° respectively), the two higher-power 6.5W modules (with fields of illumination of 66°x53° and 78°x65° respectively) use dual-junction VCSELs with efficiency of up to 45%. In addition, a photodiode monitoring system is integrated into the module as a special protection mechanism for eye safety. If the photodiode registers a change in the incidence of light – for example, if the optics are damaged – the current supply to the VCSEL is interrupted.
Besides 3D gesture recognition, the four new modules can also be used in industrial robotics for obstacle avoidance and virtual fencing, or in 3D face authentication systems in smart door locks or point-of-sale payment terminals.
