ABSTRACT: December 20, 2021 – Ams AG (SIX Swiss Exchange stock code: AMS), a leading global supplier of optical solutions, has introduced three new dToF modules for multi-zone and multi-object detection, with a wider field of view (FoV) and a wider detection range.
December 20, 2021 – AmsAG (SIX Swiss Exchange: AMS), a leading global supplier of optical solutions, has introduced three new dToF modules for multi-zone and multi-object inspection with a wider field of view (FoV) and a wider detection range.
dToF sensors are a key technology that is widely used in industrial and domestic or commercial automation applications. Industrial and domestic robots require cutting-edge systems to detect the environment to ensure safe operation. The multi-zone dToF modules of OSRAM, tMF8820, TMF8821 and TMF8828, divide the detection range into zones to capture more and higher quality information. As a result, the "perception" of the autonomous robot is greatly improved, and potential obstacles are detected early. In addition, the new modules are compact in design and easy to integrate, providing system manufacturers with greater design flexibility.
In addition to applications such as warehouse automation, robots are also taking on more and more tasks in home applications. The special ToF system enables these robots to move unhindered and navigate smoothly in the environment. For example, thanks to the new dToF module from AMS OSRAM for precise distance measurement, vacuum cleaning robots can recognize surrounding objects and bypass obstacles. David Smith, Marketing Manager at Osram, ams, said: "The TMF8820, TMF8821 and TMF8828 devices provide system manufacturers with more information about environmental dynamics thanks to the sensor's ability to 'see' objects and make correct execution commands. ”
The TMF8820 dToF module divides the field of view into 3x3 or 9 independent detection areas, the TMF8821 can be divided into 4x4 or 16 independent detection areas, and the TMF8828 can be divided into 8x8 or 64 independent detection areas. With multi-zone detection, the position of an object within the sensor's field of view can be identified. These new devices feature a dynamically adjustable field of view up to 63°, allowing customers to choose between narrow or wide field of view to meet specific application needs. All three dToF modules have a detection range between 1 cm and 5 m.
The modules integrate a 940 nm vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), a sensitive single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) detector array with multi-lens optics, and an on-chip microcontroller for histogram processing in the same device. With a compact size of 2.0 mm x 4.6 mm x 1.4 mm, the module is the smallest multi-zone dToF module on the market today.
OSRAM launches the TMF8820, TMF8821 and TMF8828 to expand its portfolio of time-of-flight modules. (Photo: Ams Osram)
Due to the division of the field of view into multiple zones, obstacles near the robot can be accurately detected. (Photo: Ams Osram)