By simplifying its design and boosting performance, the laser makes long-range LiDAR systems more effective and reliable, according to the company.
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01, a high-performance 8-channel 915nm SMT pulsed laser in a QFN package, is set to be integrated into LiDAR systems for autonomous driving vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks and Robo Taxis enhancing their operation, navigation, and data processing capabilities.
The device is designed to significantly improve long-range, high-resolution LiDAR systems for autonomous driving. With the world's first AEC-Q102 qualified 8-channel EEL (edgeemitting laser) in a QFN package, system developers will have access to a greater variety of infrared components and the new product offers a performance of 1000 watts peak optical power and an efficiency of up to 30 percent.
ams OSRAM has been developing and producing pulsed infrared lasers for automotive LiDAR for over 20 years and there are now more than twenty million units in the field. When it comes to autonomous driving the majority of system providers are convinced that LiDAR will play an essential development role.
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 infrared high-power SMT laser has been tailored for LiDAR applications and features a monolithically integrated 8-channel design. This configuration delivers 125W per laser channel, i.e. 1000W total peak optical power, vastly enhancing the performance capabilities of long-range LiDAR systems.
The laser has four individual addressable anodes, where each anode is connected to two parallel operating laser channels, offering greater flexibility when it comes to designing the end product.
Employing a single laser package allows for a more compact and efficient setup of the LiDAR sensor, eliminating the need for alignment between multiple components, simplifying the design and manufacturing process.
This integration not only reduces the development timeline but also significantly enhances the reliability and performance of the end product. The laser's design includes ams OSRAM's proprietary wavelength stabilization technology, which minimises wavelength shifts due to temperature changes, improving the LiDAR system's Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and extending its detection range.
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the automotive industry and has surpassed the AEC-Q qualification standards, ensuring its suitability for automotive applications.
Furthermore, the new laser can boost the performance in industrial applications such as robotics, surveillance, smart cities and last mile deliveries.
"Our new 8-channel laser module is a game-changer for the autonomous driving industry," claimed Clemens Hofmann, Senior Principal Engineer for LIDAR, at ams OSRAM. "It simplifies system design and boosts performance, making long-range LiDAR systems more effective and reliable. Integrating our advanced wavelength stabilization technology ensures superior performance across varying operational conditions."
The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 will be launched in autumn this year.
