Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors have emerged as a groundbreaking technology for precise and rapid distance measurement. This innovative technology has evolved significantly since its inception in the early 2000s and is now a realistic alternative to distance sensing methods like ultrasonic or infrared sensors, offering several advantages over these more traditional technologies.
Broadcom’s latest product release takes ToF sensing to a new level, operating effectively in ambient light conditions up to 100klux and covering distances between 1.5cm to 100m.
With either a 680nm or 850nm laser diode operating in continuous wave mode at their core, Broadcom ToF sensors boast superior accuracy, extended range, and enhanced immunity to interference. Moreover, their ability to generate real-time 3D images of the objects they detect makes them ideal for a wide spectrum of applications.
AP Technologies, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions, is particularly enthused by the advancements in ToF sensor technology spearheaded by Broadcom. Complementing their recently introduced enhanced silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), Broadcom's latest ToF sensors set new benchmarks in performance and low SWaP (size, weight, and power).
The Broadcom ToF sensor portfolio encompasses six models, each featuring either circular or rectangular beams and narrow or wide fields of view, catering to diverse applications such as range and direction measurement, collision avoidance, and void or overhang detection.
Compared to alternative distance sensing components, Broadcom ToF sensors offer a compelling array of benefits:
Unparalleled accuracy: With a resolution of as little as 1mm, Broadcom ToF sensors excel in applications demanding precision, such as robotics and gesture recognition.
Extended range: An effective sensing distance ranging from 1.5cm - 100m makes them ideal for security and surveillance applications.
Eye-safe operation: TÜV-certified Class 1 eye safety ensures compliance with health and safety regulations, enabling operation in human environments.
Compact and efficient design: The solid-state construction and low SWaP (dimensions of just 12.4 mm × 7.6 mm × 7.9 mm, weight around 1gm, and power consumption of 165mW at 5V) facilitate seamless integration into various subsystems.
Ruggedised performance: With an operating temperature range of -20°C to +70°C, these sensors thrive in harsh environments.
Comprehensive evaluation kit: A plug-and-play evaluation kit equipped with Explorer software, including a graphical user interface (GUI), reference designs, open-source ToF driver API, and a reference application running on Cortex M0+ with porting guides for other Cortex-M processors, simplifies sensor evaluation and integration.
Broadcom ToF sensors have been effectively integrated into a wide range of systems and successfully deployed in blended human-autonomous and fully autonomous environments. These sensors can play a crucial role in a wide range of applications, including collision avoidance for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles in industrial and distribution facilities, robotic arm control in manufacturing, cliff/void/overhang detection and avoidance in unmanned delivery and janitorial vehicles, drone collision avoidance, altitude detection, and landing control, liquid and solid material level monitoring, and wingtip sensing for hangar-based avionic manoeuvring.
"We recognise the immense potential of Broadcom’s Time-of-Flight sensors in these and numerous other applications. The advantages of their simple design, solid-state construction, low SWaP, ruggedisation, and consistently impressive performance are undeniable”, said Martin Sharratt, Managing Director, AP Technologies.
For more product information, please visit the ToF product pages.
If you are looking for a high-performance, low-power, and accurate distance measurement solution, Broadcom ToF sensors are the perfect choice.
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