Small LiDAR ICs offer higher bandwidth for faster self-driving cars

Designers of automotive self-driving systems can now allow higher-speed autonomous driving through what is claimed to be the industry’s fastest and smallest LiDAR ICs from Maxim Integrated Products. When compared to the closest competitive solution, the MAX40026 high-speed comparator and the MAX40660/MAX40661 high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers allow 10mph (15km/h) faster autonomous driving at highway speeds by giving more than 2x higher bandwidth and accommodating 32 extra channels (128 vs 96) to a LiDAR module within the identical module size.

With automotive self-driving systems developing from 35mph to 65mph and beyond, LiDAR sensors are performing an expanding role in the fusion of vehicle sensors for their capacity to produce accurate distance measurement of objects. With more than twice the bandwidth and the capability to accommodate 33% more channels within the same LiDAR module size compared to the closest competitor, the TIAs provide optical receiver designers with higher-resolution images that facilitate faster autonomous driving systems. These ICs satisfy the stringent safety demands of the automotive industry with AEC-Q100 qualification, enhanced ESD performance and FMEDA to support ISO 26262 certification at the system level.

“Excellent sensors need an excellent signal chain. It has been a pleasure collaborating with Maxim to create a joint evaluation kit leveraging each of our high-bandwidth LiDAR solutions,” said Conny Heiler, director of Marketing at First Sensor.

“Automotive engineers need elements that support greater precision, lower power and smaller solution size in order to add next-generation LiDAR capabilities to cars rolling off the assembly line,” said Veronique Rozan, executive director of business management, Core Automotive and Special Projects at Maxim Integrated. “Advancements in LiDAR-based solutions will support greater driver awareness and safety from next-generation automotive navigation systems.”