Enablence Technologies and LightIC to Deliver Next-Generation FMCW LiDAR Sensing Chips for Automotive, Robotics and Industrial
Enablence Technologies, a provider of planar lightwave circuit (PLC) optical chips and subsystems for applications in datacom, telecom, automotive, and artificial intelligence (AI), announced today a partnership to supply its PLC optics chips in LightIC’s Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor products. Based in Silicon Valley, Calif., LightIC supplies FMCW LiDARs based on silicon photonics integration technology. Adoption of LightIC’s FMCW LiDAR products is increasing as their long-range, direct velocity detection, precision, and interference immunity support advancements in automotive, robotics, and industrial automation.
Instead of emitting short pulses, FMCW LiDAR continuously emits a laser beam whose frequency is modulated. When the laser beam reflects off an object, the reflected light’s frequency is shifted due to the object’s motion (Doppler effect) and distance. The FMCW LiDAR system then compares the frequency of the reflected light with the frequency of the emitted light to determine the object’s distance and velocity.
LARK, the LightIC’s FMCW LiDAR, enables the highest-precision distance and velocity measurements on the market.
Unlike time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR which needs to estimate velocity from changes in position, FMCW can directly measure the speed of an object using the Doppler effect. FMCW LiDAR is also less susceptible to light interference (such as sunlight) compared to ToF LiDAR because of its coherent detection. FMCW LiDAR signals also extend to longer ranges compared to ToF LiDAR.
The global FMCW LiDAR market is a rapidly growing market projected to surpass $15Billion by 2033 representing a CAGR of more than 20 percent during this period.
“Our collaboration with Enablence Technologies, a developer of optics chips, represents our combined strengths of innovation and commitment to providing value to our customers,” said Dr. Sun, CEO of LightIC. “In automotive, industrial, and robotics fields, accuracy, precision, safety, and reliability are essential for ensuring customer success, and our FMCW LiDAR products meet these requirements for our expanding customer base in North America, Asia, and Europe.”
LightIC’s innovative FMCW LiDAR sensors are designed to meet the growing demand for a wide range of advanced industrial applications where high precision is critical to ensuring advanced automation. For example, automotives, robotics and industrial automation all require the most precise navigation and obstacle detection capabilities. In Robotics, enhanced operational reliability in dynamic environments is critical. Most importantly, in automotive, providing real-time, accurate velocity-awareness can be a matter of lifesaving.
“We are delighted to partner with LightIC, an innovator in the fast-growing FMCW LiDAR space,” noted Todd Haugen, CEO of Enablence Technologies. “Combining Enablence’s proven PLC optics technology with LightIC’s silicon photonics integration technology allows for a superior FMCW LiDAR platform with best-in-class range, resolution and accuracy and the ability to achieve the highest performance in the most challenging environments,” added Haugen.
About Enablence Technologies
Enablence specializes in designing, marketing, and selling optical chips and subsystems, primarily in the form of planar lightwave circuits (PLC), on silicon-based chips for data communication, telecommunications, automotive, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Enablence products serve a global customer base, with a current focus on data centres and other rapidly growing markets. The company also collaborates with customers exploring emerging market uses for its technology, including medical devices, automotive LiDAR, and virtual and augmented reality headsets. In select strategic circumstances, Enablence utilizes its proprietary, non-captive fabrication plant in Fremont, California, to manufacture chips designed by third-party customers.
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Founded in 2019, LightIC is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. The company’s LiDAR chips and systems are developed and manufactured using its advanced, proprietary silicon photonics technology. LightIC continues to expand its presence in the USA, Europe, and Asia by securing top-tier strategic partnerships with both domestic and international automobile and industrial manufacturers.
Opsys unveils a new LiDAR sensor with integrated perception software
Last month, Opsys Technologies, the developer of the world’s most advanced pure solid-state LiDAR, was proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation: a state-of-the-art LiDAR sensor that seamlessly combines their proprietary LiDAR technology with integrated perception software. This all-in-one solution is poised to revolutionize the space by providing unparalleled accuracy, efficiency, and ease of integration.
Traditionally, LiDAR systems and perception software have operated as separate entities, requiring complex integration processes that can be both time-consuming and costly. LiDAR and perception software are not always thought of as being on the same domain. Opsys’ new offering eliminates this hurdle by delivering a unified system that not only captures 4D data but also interprets and analyzes the information in real-time all runing on the LiDAR unit. Opsys’ system reports the events and other information that the user may want, which they can set themselves.
Key Benefits:
- Enhanced Performance: the integration of perception software directly within the LiDAR unit ensures faster processing and extremely accurate object detection, classification, and tracking
- Cost Efficiency: by consolidating hardware and software into a single unit, companies can reduce expenses associated with procurement, integration, infrastructure and maintenance
- Simplified Integration: the all-in-one design streamlines the deployment process, allowing for quicker implementation across various platforms and applications.
- This solution is designed to be adaptable across various industries (e.g. security, robotics, smart cities, healthcare, and ITS), offering a versatile tool for numerous applications.
“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in LiDAR technology,” said Rafi Harel, CEO, Opsys. “By integrating perception software directly into our LiDAR units, we are providing our clients with a powerful, efficient, and cost-effective solution that meets the evolving needs of various industries.”
For infrastructure supervision use cases the all-in-one Lidar is available in the ALTOS platform (Advanced LiDAR Technology Opsys Sensors) range (70/150/300m). The ALTOS platform makes the use of LiDAR possible in harsh environmental conditions. It operates with a wide temperature range: -30°C to +65°C, IP67 and allows 24/7 operation, as it has no moving parts, so there is no wear and tear over time. Along with a host of other benefits, it also supports PoE and is NDAA compliant. The ALTOS comes at an affordable cost for mass production and the LiDAR with integrated perception software is now available for order.
For automotive, trucking and Robotaxis, Opsys still proposes two types of Lidars:
- OPSENS 110, which is the first automotive-grade solution for mass production. It is built on a multiple base sensor architecture which allows for a customized field of view (FOV) for specific requirements. OPSENS 110 provides FOV coverage of 110° horizontal and 13° vertical. It includes two high resolution sensors in the center (22.5° horizontal at 0.1° x 0.1°) and two additional medium resolution sensors on each side (45° horizontal at 0.2° x 0.2°).
- OPSENS 140 which also offers a flexible angular resolution built on a multiple base sensor architecture. It provides FOV coverage of 140° horizontal and 22.5° vertical. OPSENS 140 includes two high resolution sensors in the center (22.5° horizontal at 0.1° x 0.1°) and two low resolution sensors (80° horizontal at 0.4°x 0.4° with overlap to get 140° in total).
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Since 2023, Opsys have been working with the Wideye product line of Japanese glass specialist AGC on integrating the Lidar sensors in a module behind the windshield and aimed to achieve series production readiness by 2024. They see the position in the area of the interior mirror as ideal for capturing the vehicle’s forward field and expect synergy effects from integrating multiple sensor technologies into a compact cluster.
