Integrated automotive Lidar enables ADAS applications

Examples of lighting system assemblies demonstrating Leddar integration for ADAS sensing will be showcased during CES in collaboration with OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. Sensor performance assessment data and on-road trial results will also be presented.

Available to OEMs and sub-system manufacturers for integration into mainstream automotive products, the cost-effective Leddar optical time-of-flight technology delivers unmatched range-to-power ratio for superior sensing performances in a compact, flexible format, thus accelerating the deployment of reliable active safety systems from luxury to economy car segments alike.

According to Praveen Chandrasekar, Consulting Director & Research Manager, Automotive & Transportation, North America, Frost and Sullivan: "ADAS/Automation is the fastest growing segment in the European and US automotive markets. The overall uptake rate or number of new cars shipped with ADAS systems are expected to exceed 30% of all vehicles sold in North America by 2020 and an even higher percentage in Europe." Chandrasekar expects ADAS global demand to grow at a CAGR of 24% over the next 5 years.

Various sensing technologies considered for ADAS show promising detection capabilities, but many fall short when it comes to meeting key automotive requirements such as range, form factor, robustness or cost. "Recent market studies reveal that consumers do value the advent of new automotive safety features but remain very price sensitive. Hence, ADAS solutions will have to be very cost-effective without compromising on performance in order to achieve a high rate of adoption by the mainstream car buyers," states Michael Poulin, Director of product management,  LeddarTech.

Leddar solutions bridge the cost, performance and form factor gaps experienced with previous ADAS optical time-of flight sensors. "LeddarTech has developed a unique, patented optical detection technology that can be integrated into ICs and which makes optimal use of every photon to deliver the best range-to-power ratio in the industry," said Poulin. "Since light sources and optics represent a significant portion of the cost of an optical sensor, Leddar's superior sensitivity means you can use more affordable optical components to achieve the required level of performance."

Leddar sensor modules integrating OSRAM Opto Semiconductor light sources such as the SFH4725S high-power IR emitter and SPL-LL90 pulsed laser diodes are readily available. Providing a distance range which can exceed 150m and multi-segment detection over fields of view from 9 to 180°, Leddar technology overcomes many limitations of traditional fixed-beam Lidars. According to OSRAM's Product Marketing Manager Rajeev Thakur,: "Leddar sensors' performance may be further enhanced with the addition of OSRAM product concepts being developed for ADAS, such as a new high power pulse laser with integrated driver in a SMD package (905nm; 75W - in the future less than 100W; 5ns switching time) and an upcoming 2x8 photodiode array which would add to Leddar's versatility."

Leddar sensing technology provides highly reliable detection and ranging capabilities for a variety of obstacles (i.e. vehicles, structures, pedestrians & cyclists) over a wide field of view without any moving parts in virtually any weather, temperature or lighting conditions, making it a logical choice for automotive ADAS.

"Leddar truly represents a technological breakthrough which enables the high-volume deployments of optical time-of-flight sensing as part of various ADAS systems targeting the mainstream automotive market segments," said Charles Boulanger, CEO, LeddarTech. "We see tremendous interest from automotive OEMs and sub-system manufacturers to integrate Leddar sensing in either dedicated active safety applications or as part of a more comprehensive sensor fusion solution aiming towards autonomous vehicles."