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New high-resolution time-to-digital converter from ams offers better object detection and avoidance for LiDAR

ams AG, a leading provider of high performance sensor solutions and analog ICs, has launched a new version of its market-leading time-to-digital converter (TDC) offering improved speed and precision together with low power consumption. The new TDC-GPX2 also features standard low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) and serial peripheral (SPI) interfaces, and a new, smaller 9mm x 9mm QFN64 package.

TDCs from ams, which can measure short time intervals with great precision, are widely used in light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and laser-ranging devices, in positron emission tomography (PET) medical scanners, and in automated test equipment (ATE). The introduction of the TDC-GPX2 means that these applications can benefit from increased resolution up to 10ps and a new high sampling rate of up to 70 Msamples/s.

The TDC-GPX2 is an integrated four-channel converter IC offering single-measurement resolution of up to 20psrms per channel in normal mode. Operating in dual-channel high-resolution mode, it can achieve a maximum resolution of 10psrms with 5ns pulse-to-pulse spacing.

The superior performance of the TDC-GPX2 has been achieved without sacrificing power efficiency: The new product uses between 60mW and 450mW in normal operation, and draws just 60µA in stand-by mode.

The combination of higher precision and a higher sampling rate means that LIDAR systems in cars, drones and robots will be able to achieve better object detection and avoidance. This is the result of the more detailed and accurate ranging measurements, with a wider field of view, that they will be able to take.

In virtual- and augmented-reality applications, the new, higher sampling speed and greater precision will support real-time 3D image rendering in unprecedented detail. The new, higher sampling speed and greater precision will also enable PET scanners to achieve greater contrast while reducing the patient’s exposure time.

ams has put particular emphasis on making the TDC-GPX2 easy to implement in end-product designs, providing standard interfaces and requiring few external components. The chip also includes a driver for a quartz reference clock, which can be used for automatic calibration alternatively to the reference input.

In addition, ams supplies an evaluation kit, the GPX2-EVA-KIT, which includes a programmer and GUI software for PCs, enabling users to configure and connect their Start and Stop signals and begin taking sample time measurements within minutes.

ams was already the leader in the market for the high-end TDCs used in precision ranging and scanning applications. Now with the TDC-GPX2, we have responded to customers’ requests for even better precision and a higher sampling rate, enabling them to develop new generations of end products that provide greater detail and accuracy.

—Georg Jedelhauser, Marketing Director at ams

The TDC-GPX2 is available now in production volume. Unit pricing is available on request from ams.

Comments

HarveyD

This could be part of the major step required to make future LIDARs more accurate (yet) and cheaper. ADVs may require half a dozen+ LIDARs to continuously establish where it is and where all others are.

To quickly compute all the data from sensors and activate the proper corrections, with the proper dosage, will also take improved onboard computers and software.

Many manufacturers will be close to it by 2025 or so.

mahonj

Better (and cheaper) lidar is a really good thing as it can measure range less ambiguously than stereo, and so will cause fewer errors.
Also, it should be able to work with tricky lighting, such as a stand of trees, or marked roads.
They will probably have to update the software to make use of the increased precision, but I do not see why it would need more powerful computers. However, they'll come along anyway, due to the remains of Moore's law.

HarveyD

More data from more accurate higher repetition LIDARs and other location instruments/sensors will need more computing power. No doubt that on-board computers & associated software will be upgraded to do the job.

All three will be part of the continued challenge.

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