Range of APDs optimised for LIDAR applications

16th April 2018

First Sensor

Anna Flockett

0 0

Datasheet

The Series 9 from First Sensor offers a wide range of silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with very high sensitivity in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength range, especially at 905nm. With its internal gain mechanism, large dynamic range and fast rise time the APDs are suitable for LIDAR systems for optical distance measurement and object recognition according to the time of flight method.

Application examples include driver assistance systems, drones, safety laser scanners, 3D-mapping and robotics.

The Series 9 offers detectors as single elements as well as linear and matrix arrays with multiple sensing elements. The package options include rugged TO housings or flat ceramic SMD packages. The slow increase of the gain of the Series 9 photodiodes with the applied reverse bias voltage allows for easy and precise adjustments of high gain factors. For particularly low light levels, hybrid solutions are also available that further enhance the APD signal with an internal transimpedance amplifier (TIA). The integrated amplifier is optimally matched to the photodiode and allows compact setups as well as very large signal-to-noise ratios.

Thanks to its own semiconductor manufacturing facility and extensive development capabilities, First Sensor can adapt its silicon avalanche photodiodes to specific customer requirements, e.g. in terms of sensitivity, gain, rise time or design.

Important features of the Series 9 APDs: