The TOF sensor provide fast, accurate, and reliable distance sensing for various applications, including occupant monitoring, smart door locks, XR headsets, luggage and cargo measurement, and autonomous mobile robots.
Nuvoton Technology Corporation Japan (NTCJ) is set to revolutionise sensor technology with the mass production of its new 1/4-inch VGA (640×480 pixel) resolution 3D Time-of-Flight (TOF) sensor. This advanced sensor promises significant enhancements in recognising people and objects in various environments, both indoor and outdoor, leveraging NTCJ’s unique pixel design and distance calculation/Image Signal Processor (ISP) technology.
One of the standout features of this new sensor is its ability to measure distances accurately even under intense ambient light conditions, up to 100,000 lux, where conventional sensors typically suffer from overexposure. It achieves this through innovative design, reducing motion blur by capturing and calculating distance within a single frame, ensuring precise measurements even for moving subjects.
The sensor integrates a distance calculation circuit and a signal correction ISP, which significantly reduces the processing load on the backend system processor. It outputs distance (3D) images at an impressive rate of up to 120 frames per second (fps) without delay, alongside IR (2D) images for improved recognition accuracy. In the automotive sector, the sensor’s compliance with ASIL B standards and built-in safety mechanisms enhance functional safety in sensing systems. This is critical as the industry moves towards more stringent safety regulations and the rise of autonomous vehicles, increasing the need for accurate and reliable sensing capabilities.
The sensor facilitates efficient system evaluation and development through accompanying reference circuits, a Software Development Kit (SDK), and sample software for detection and recognition. This streamlines the development process for various applications, from automotive safety to smart door locks and industrial logistics. It leverages proprietary CMOS image sensor pixel technology and CCD memory technology to achieve precise distance sensing, even in the presence of sunlight and other external light sources. This capability ensures accurate measurements up to 20 meters under diverse lighting conditions.
The sensor’s real-time distance imaging for moving subjects, enabled by four embedded memories within each pixel, drastically reduces motion blur and errors. This makes it ideal for dynamic object detection, such as obstacle detection in Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) and airbag intensity control in vehicles.
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