Voxtel, Inc. has been a pioneer in photonics since 1999, developing cutting-edge solutions for military, space, automotive, and surveillance applications. Its ultraminiature lasers, readout integrated circuits (ROICs), and near-infrared (NIR) and short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) photodetectors, backed by more than 38 U.S. patents, represent one of the broadest LADAR/LiDAR photonic technology suites available on the market today. Allegro's innovative portfolio of motor controllers, position sensors, regulators, and current sensors, when combined with photonics, provides most of the key semiconductor components in the transmit and receive blocks of automotive LiDAR systems. This further strengthens Allegro's presence in the car of the future.
“Allegro is a market leader in magnetic sensors for the automotive market. Annually, we ship more than one billion devices to automotive systems, 100 million of which are for advanced automotive safety systems, including semi-autonomous vehicle systems,” says Ravi Vig, CEO of Allegro. “Our expertise, scale, and design for quality uniquely position us to enhance Voxtel’s LiDAR portfolio for ADAS applications, with the goal of making LiDAR systems safer, more cost-effective, and widely adopted in the cars of the future.”.
LiDAR enables safer and smarter vehicles.
LiDAR typically uses lasers, photodetectors, and readout integrated circuits (ROICs) with time-of-flight (TOF) capability to measure distance by illuminating a target and analyzing the reflected light. LiDAR technology provides the high-resolution, three-dimensional information about the surrounding environment necessary to make fully autonomous driving a reality. It also supports adaptive cruise control, complements the car's cameras and radar, and adds situational awareness.
Comprehensive solutions, including essential "eye-safe" capability.
Historically, a barrier to the widespread adoption of LiDAR technology in vehicles has been the restriction on maximum laser output power to comply with eye safety guidelines. As a result of this acquisition, Allegro's photonics portfolio now includes silicon- and InGaAs-based devices, providing components for both eye-safe, long-range, front-facing 1D or 2D scanning LiDAR and side- or rear-facing FLASH LiDAR. The InGaAs-based devices operate at wavelengths to which the human eye is less sensitive (1500–1600 nm), enabling higher laser power levels for longer-range object detection beyond 200 meters.
“We are combining Voxtel’s proven LiDAR technology, born from an impressive history in space and rangefinding applications, with Allegro’s world-class automotive integrated circuit design expertise, proven quality systems, and high-volume manufacturing capabilities,” said Mike Doogue, Senior Vice President of Business Development. “Our OEM and Tier-1 customers will now have access to this advanced technology with the assurance of Allegro’s global support and the scale needed to back automotive manufacturing volumes.”
About Voxtel, Inc. and the Acquisition:
Voxtel, Inc., headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, was founded in 1999. For nearly two decades, Voxtel has focused on innovation in laser ranging, LADAR, and LiDAR technologies, becoming a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of innovative photonics and advanced 3D imaging technologies. Voxtel’s product portfolio includes eye-safe lasers; time-of-flight (TOF) ROICs; and single-pixel, 1D, and 2D photodetectors fabricated in both silicon and InGaAs.
In addition to its portfolio of advanced electro-optical solutions, the transaction includes Voxtel’s ongoing business addressing a broad range of applications, including robotics, drones, heavy equipment, mapping/surveying, environmental monitoring, defense, and space exploration; as well as its intellectual property portfolio, including patents and ongoing R&D; and an experienced team of engineers and scientists. Voxtel’s President and CEO, George M. Williams Jr., will become a Photonics Fellow at Allegro MicroSystems.
