Melexis Gets Exclusive Rights to Use Chronoptics Technology of ToF Multipath and Linearity Errors Correction in Automotive Applications

Melexis enters into a license agreement with Chronoptics. The agreement grants Melexis exclusive rights of use of Chronoptics’ multipath and linearity error correction technologies in automotive applications. This includes ADAS for autonomous vehicles, and interior monitoring and safety systems.

Multipath interference in ToF cameras can lead to inaccurate depth measurements under specific conditions, such as when a wide FoV is used, or when the scene contains highly reflective objects. It is typically caused by stray light and scattering due to bright reflections in the scene. Chronoptics’ patented multipath correction technology recovers the correct depth values to produce accurate and robust point clouds even in the most challenging scenarios. With future vehicle applications set to demand an even wider FoV, the technology enables Melexis’ customers to address and mitigate potential challenges in advance.

Damien Macq, VP & General Manager Sense and Light business Unit, Melexis, commented: “These new IPs will be available for evaluation in our Time-of-Flight reference design. Our third-generation ToF sensors are a breakthrough in terms of sensor performance, and this innovative technology along with other Melexis’ IPs will further enhance system level performance.”

Richard Conroy, CEO, Chronoptics, said: “We are excited to partner with Melexis to deliver robust depth sensing solutions for the automotive industry. We are experts in tailoring fit-for-purpose 3D cameras that leverage our patented depth pipeline technologies and know-how to deliver clean and accurate 3D data for any application.”

Chronoptics patent application WO2020130855 gives few more details about the company's approach:

"Binary sequences have been used instead of the pure sinusoidal signals described in the above equations. They have demonstrated the capacity to image through smoke, resolve multi-path interference and enable multiple camera operation with minimum interference. A configurable time of flight camera system and associated data processing system is required to allow for the selection and use of such an arbitrary binary sequence."