VCSEL technology has gained popularity in recent years with the adoption of laser light sources for spatial recognition in tablets and facial recognition in smartphones. And with the rise of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and industrial inspection systems that utilize gesture and shape recognition, demand for VCSEL is expected to grow even further.
At the same time, for applications requiring automation, shorter pulse transmission and higher power for the light source are needed to achieve greater detection accuracy.
Typically, in laser light sources equipped with VCSELs, both the VCSEL device and the MOSFET driving the light source are mounted separately on the board. Consequently, the length of the wiring (parasitic inductance) between the components has an unintended effect on the light source's power and transmission time, making it difficult to achieve a light source that delivers the high power and short pulses required for high-precision detection.
ROHM's new VCSEL module technology allows for the modularization of VCSEL and MOSFET elements within a single package. By minimizing the wiring length between elements, the performance of each is maximized, resulting in a light source that enables short pulse transmission (less than 10 ns). This reduces susceptibility to external noise from sunlight while allowing for up to 30% greater power output than conventional solutions.
As a result, when ROHM's VCSEL module technology is evaluated in recognition and distance measurement systems consisting of a control IC, a TOF sensor (light receiving element) and a laser light source (VCSEL module), the amount of light reflected to the TOF sensor is increased by 30% compared to conventional configurations, contributing to improved accuracy in TOF systems.
ROHM plans to launch its new VCSEL module in March 2021 for AGVs in the industrial market and facial recognition systems for mobile devices requiring high-precision detection. The company will also continue developing high-power lasers for LiDAR in vehicles and other applications.
ROHM's initiatives for the laser light source market:
ROHM develops and supplies LEDs, Fabry-Perot laser diodes and VCSELs that are being adopted in laser printers, robotic vacuum cleaners and many other applications.
At the same time, we have dedicated ourselves to the research and development of VCSEL module technology to achieve greater power and maximize the performance of VCSEL elements by leveraging the experience gained through the marketing of products equipped with optical devices.
ROHM is developing multi-functional laser light sources by applying the aforementioned technology to laser light sources and elements created during R&D, contributing to achieving more accurate spatial recognition and distance measurement systems.
