ST Announces 3rd Generation ToF Sensor

ST releases its third-generation laser-ranging sensor based on its SPAD FlightSense technology. The new VL53L1 sensor adds for the first time, optical lenses to the module. This combination boosts core performance while introducing many new features including multi-target detection, cover-glass crosstalk immunity at long distance, and programmable multi-zone scanning. With a form factor of 4.9 x 2.5 x 1.56mm, the sensor module integrates a new lens system, a 940nm VCSEL light source, a processing core, and a SPAD photon detector.

The VL53L1 performs a full measurement operation in as little as 5ms, twice as fast as the earlier-generation devices, for high speed AF operation. It also has doubled the maximum ranging distance of ST ToF sensors to beyond 4.5 meters, ensuring it is well matched to the hyper-focal distance of widely used 21MP camera optics.

The new architecture can detect multiple targets within the scene and also allows manufacturers to sub-divide the SPAD sensing matrix into custom-defined zones. These small zones can then provide spatial ranging information that the customer application can use for dual-camera computation in stereoscopy as well as simple depth-map use cases.

The VL53L1 is in production now.

“ST has already shipped hundreds of millions of Time-of-Flight sensors, which have been designed by OEMs into over 70 smartphone models as well as many other consumer devices,” said Eric Aussedat, General Manager of ST’s Imaging Division. “The third-generation FlightSense product uses its improved performance to support new applications, including human-presence detection, while continuing to improve sensor performance for existing use cases.”