STMicroelectronics claims first multi-zone direct time-of-flight module

Extending its portfolio of FlightSense time-of-flight (ToF) sensors, STMicroelectronics has introduced the industry’s first all-in-one, 64-zone device for improved consumer electronics imaging systems.  The highly integrated VL53L5 direct time-of-flight module delivers increased field-of-view (FoV) coverage and spatial resolution, enabling new features in consumer imaging systems such as touch-to-focus, multiple-target identification, flash dimming, and video tracking assistance.

The VL53L5 ToF sensor module integrates a 940-nm vertical cavity surface emission laser (VCSEL) light source, a system-on-chip sensor integrating a VCSEL driver, the receiving array of single photon Avalanche diodes (SPADs), and a low-power 32-bit microcontroller (MCU) core and accelerator. It retains the Class 1 certification of all ST’s FlightSense sensors and is fully eye-safe for consumer products.

Housed in a miniature 6.4 x 3.0 x 1.5-mm module, the VL53L5 ToF contains optical elements in the receive aperture that creates 64 ranging zones, which opens up a range of new features and use cases. The ST architecture can automatically calibrate each ranging zone and the direct ToF technology allows each zone to detect multiple targets and reject reflection from the cover-glass, said the company.

The VL53L5 sensor integrates both transmit and receive lenses into the module design and expands the FoV of the module to 61-degrees diagonal. The wide FoV is especially suited to detect off-center objects and to ensure perfect autofocus in the corners of the image, said ST.

“Delivering 64x more ranging zones than previously available, the VL53L5 offers radical performance improvement in laser autofocus, touch-to-focus, presence detection, and gesture interfaces while helping developers create even more innovative imaging applications,” said Eric Aussedat, general manager of ST’s Imaging Division, in a statement.

Use cases include human-presence detection to control the wakeup and hibernation of laptops or monitors and laser autofocus in hybrid focusing algorithms for smartphone cameras. In the laser autofocus use case, the VL53L5 gathers ranging data from up to 64 zones across the full FoV to support several features including touch-to-focus.

In addition, the SPAD array can be set to leverage spatial resolution, where it outputs all 64 zones at up to 15 fps, or leverage maximum ranging distance, where the sensor outputs 4×4/16 zones at a frame rate of 60 fps.

In addition, customers can take advantage of ST’s relationships with key smartphone suppliers thanks to the sensor’s pre-integration onto these platforms. Android and Windows device drives are available for FlightSense productions. The VL53L5 is in mass production.