ams OSRAM VCSEL illuminator brings benefits of integrated eye safety to Melexis automotive in-cabin monitoring solution

ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in optical solutions, announces that it is supplying a high-performance infrared laser flood illuminator for the latest automotive indirect Time-of-Flight (iToF) demonstrator from Melexis.
The ams OSRAM vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) flood illuminator from the
TARA2000-AUT family has been chosen for the new, improved version of the EVK75027 iToF
sensing kit because it features an integrated eye safety interlock. This provides for a more
compact, more reliable and faster system implementation than other VCSEL flood
illuminators that require an external photodiode and processing circuitry.

The Melexis evaluation kit demonstrates the combined capabilities of the new ams OSRAM 940nm
VCSEL flood illuminator in combination with an interface board and a processor board and the
MLX75027 iToF sensor. The evaluation kit provides a complete hardware implementation of iToF
depth sensing on which automotive OEMs can run software for cabin monitoring functions such as
occupant detection and gesture sensing.

More reliable operation, faster detection of eye safety risks
The new ams OSRAM VCSEL with integrated eye safety interlock is implemented directly on the
micro-lens array of the VCSEL module, and detects any cracks or apertures that can cause an eye
safety risk. Earlier automotive implementations of iToF sensing have used VCSEL illuminators that
require an external photodiode, a fault-prone, indirect method of providing the eye safety interlock
function.

The read-out circuit requires no additional components other than an AND gate or a MOSFET. This
produces almost instant (<1µs) reactions to fault conditions. A lower component count also reduces
the bill-of-materials cost compared to photodiode-based systems. By eliminating the use of an
external photodiode, the eye safety interlock eliminates the false signals created by objects such as
a passenger’s hand obscuring the camera module.

“Automotive OEMs are continually looking for ways to simplify system designs and reduce
component count. By integrating an eye safety interlock into the VCSEL illuminator module, ams
OSRAM has found a new way to bring value to automotive customers. Not only will it reduce
component count, but also increase reliability while offering the very highest levels of optical
performance,” said Firat Sarialtun, Global Segment Manager for In-Cabin Sensing at ams OSRAM.

“With the EVK75027, Melexis has gone beyond the provision of a stand-alone iToF sensor to offer
automotive customers a high-performance platform for 3D in-cabin sensing. We are pleased to be
able to improve the value of the EVK75027 by now offering the option of a more integrated VCSEL
flood illuminator on the kit’s illuminator board,” said Gualtiero Bagnuoli, Marketing manager Optical
Sensors.