Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) announced a collaboration with First Sensor AG to develop products aimed at speeding the launch of autonomous sensing technology serving unmanned automotive, aerial and underwater vehicles in transportation, smart agriculture, industrial manufacturing and other industries. As part of the collaboration, Analog Devices and First Sensor are developing offerings that shrink the LIDAR signal chain to enable higher system performance as well as reduce size, weight, power and cost for manufacturers designing sensing and perception technology into their autonomous safety systems. The companies also plan to develop other LIDAR products that will serve automotive and industrial manufacturing applications.
For more than 25 years, Analog Devices has been developing sensor technology for transportation safety. Recent developments include multi-channel TIAs specifically designed to convert wide dynamic range photocurrent into a low-impedance voltage signal. First Sensor also has more than 25 years of experience manufacturing LIDAR APDs, which are highly sensitive detector arrays that convert light into photocurrent. Optimizing the interconnection between the APDs and TIAs is critical as it significantly influences the noise floor and bandwidth achieved. Improvements in these two parameters directly translate to LIDAR systems which can detect objects at longer range and with higher precision.
LIDAR is a growth driver for First Sensor. The company is preparing for the requirements of volume production with forward integration and an accelerated cost roadmap in line with its strategy for profitable growth.
First Sensor and Analog Devices will each offer a common evaluation board with which system manufacturers can test the combined solution.
This cooperation with First Sensor marks Analog Devices’ next phase in implementing its Drive360 autonomous driving solutions strategy. ADI’s Drive360 suite of technologies leverage ADI’s core competencies in high performance MEMS, RF/mmWave, and photonics/optics technologies, allowing ADI to provide the automotive industry with holistic solutions and be a dedicated partner for highly automated and autonomous driving technology needs. Learn more about Drive360 at http://www.analog.com/LIDAR.
About Analog Devices
Analog Devices is a global high-performance analog technology company dedicated to solving engineering challenges.
Visit www.analog.com.
About First Sensor AG
In the market of sensor systems, First Sensor develops and produces standard products and customer-specific solutions for the ever-increasing number of applications in the industrial, medical, and mobility target markets. Based on tried-and-tested technology platforms, they develop products from single chips to complex sensor systems. Trends such as Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, and the miniaturization of medical technology will drive growth extremely rapidly in the future. First Sensor was founded in Berlin in 1991.
Further information: www.first-sensor.com.