ams-Osram introduces 8-channel 915nm SMT pulsed laser

12 Aug 2024

Company says technology is “ground breaking and heralds new era for lidar.”

With its new 8-channel pulsed laser, ams Osram is introducing its latest system to enable autonomous driving. By simplifying system design and boosting performance, the SPL S8L91A_3 A01, a high-performance 8-channel 915nm SMT pulsed laser in a QFN package, is said to “make long-range lidar systems more effective and reliable.”

The laser is expected to be integrated into lidar systems for autonomous driving vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks and “robo-taxis”. The developer says that the new product “will enhance their operation, navigation, and data processing capabilities.”

It is designed to improve long-range, high-resolution lidar systems for autonomous driving. With the first AEC-Q102 qualified 8-channel edge-emitting laser (EEL) in a QFN package, system developers can now choose from a greater variety of infrared components from ams Osram. The new product offers 1000 watts peak optical power and an efficiency of up to 30 percent.

ams Osram says that, as autonomous driving systems expand, there are now more than twenty million such laser units in the field: “an excellent proof of this in terms of experience and quality. The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 is the newest product lineup addition built on extensive experience in automotive lidar technology.”

The new laser is specified for lidar applications, featuring a monolithically integrated 8-channel design. This configuration delivers 125W per laser channel, making 1000W total peak optical power, and enhancing the performance capabilities of long-range lidar systems required for autonomous highway driving. It has four individual addressable anodes, where each anode is connected to two parallel operating laser channels. This addressability gives flexibility to the customer in designing the end product.

The developer adds, “Employing a single laser package allows for a more compact and efficient setup of the lidar sensor, eliminating the need for alignment between multiple components, thus simplifying the design and manufacturing process.”

Operating standard

This integration not only reduces the development timeline but also significantly enhances the reliability and performance of the end product. The laser’s design includes ams Osram’s proprietary wavelength stabilization technology, which minimizes wavelength shifts due to temperature changes, thereby improving the lidar’s signal-to-noise ratio and extending its detection range.

The SPL S8L91A_3 A01 has surpassed the AEC-Q qualification standards, ensuring its suitability for automotive applications. The QFN package is key to its robust design, providing a durable solution that meets the challenges of automotive environments. The products can be integrated into lidar systems for autonomous driving vehicles to enhance their operation, navigation, and data processing capabilities.

“Our new 8-channel laser module is a game-changer for the autonomous driving industry,” commented Clemens Hofmann, Senior Principal Engineer for lidar. “It simplifies system design and boosts performance, making long-range lidar systems more effective and reliable. Integrating our advanced wavelength stabilization technology ensures superior performance across varying operational conditions.”