ROHM Develops a Novel VCSELED™ Infrared Light Source that Combines Features of VCSELs and LEDs
2024年6月27日 - 6:00AM
ROHM Semiconductor today announced VCSELED™, a new infrared light
source technology that encapsulates a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity
Surface Emitting Laser) element in a resin optical diffusion
material for laser light. ROHM is currently developing this
technology for commercialization as a light source for improving
vehicle Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) and In-Cabin Monitoring
Systems (IMS).
To further enhance automotive safety, driver
monitoring systems are increasingly being installed in vehicles
equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to detect
drowsiness, sleepiness, and distracted driving. In Japan, the
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) has
created guidelines that define the design and functions of the
system, and in the EU, there are plans to make installation
mandatory in all new vehicles sold in Europe from July 2024
onwards. Automakers and suppliers are also developing in-vehicle
monitoring systems to detect occupants other than the driver, and
there is a growing awareness of the need for high-performance light
sources that enable detection systems to function with greater
precision.
In response, ROHM has developed VCSELED that
achieves high-accuracy sensing. Minimal wavelength temperature
variation combined with a wide emission beam angle make it ideal
not only for in-vehicle monitoring systems, but also contribute to
improving the accuracy and performance of inspection systems for
robots and industrial equipment, as well as spatial recognition and
ranging systems.
VCSELED extends the beam (irradiation) angle
similar to LEDs by combining a high-performance VCSEL element and
light diffusion material to enable sensing over a wider area with
higher accuracy than VCSELs. In addition, the light emitting
element and light diffuser are integrated into a compact package,
contributing to smaller, thinner applications.
The VCSEL element used in VCSELED features a
narrow emission wavelength bandwidth of 4nm, approximately
one-seventh that of LEDs. This characteristic improves resolution
performance on the receiving side while eliminating the red glow
often associated with LEDs. At the same time, a wavelength
temperature variation of 0.072nm/°C – less than one-fourth that of
LEDs (0.3nm/°C) – allows for high-accuracy sensing unaffected
by temperature changes. Furthermore, the response time when
emitting light is 2ns, approx. 7.5 times faster than LEDs,
contributing to higher performance in ToF (Time of Flight)
applications that use infrared light to measure distance.
ROHM is working on commercializing VCSELED as a
new technology brand for infrared light source components.
Prototype samples is available for purchase now, with mass
production samples for consumer scheduled for release in October
2024 and automotive use in 2025, respectively. To obtain samples,
please contact a sales representative or visit the contact page on
ROHM’s website. Going forward, we will continue to develop laser
light source technology for in-vehicle monitoring and other
systems.
*VCSELED™ is a trademark or registered trademark
of ROHM Co., Ltd.
- ROHM's New VCSELED Infrared Light Source
- VCSELED Light Source Technology Improves Monitoring System
Performance and Accuracy
Keng Ly
ROHM Semiconductor
(248) 348-9920
kly@rohmsemiconductor.com
Heather Savage
BWW Communications
(408) 507-4398
heather.savage@bwwcomms.com