Industry's Smallest LiDAR ICs by Maxim Integrated Offer More Than 2x Higher Bandwidth for Faster Self-Driving Cars

Tiny, high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifier and high-speed comparator add 32 additional channels to a LiDAR module with the same overall solution size

News provided by

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Feb 25, 2020, 09:00 ET

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Designers of automotive self-driving systems can now enable higher-speed autonomous driving through the industry's fastest and smallest Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) ICs from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM). Compared to the closest competitive solution, the MAX40026 high-speed comparator and the MAX40660/MAX40661 high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers enable 10mph (15km/h) faster autonomous driving at highway speeds by providing more than 2x higher bandwidth and accommodating 32 additional channels (128 vs. 96) to a LiDAR module within the same module size.

Industry’s smallest LiDAR ICs by Maxim Integrated offer more than 2x higher bandwidth for faster self-driving cars.

For details about Maxim Integrated's LiDAR solutions, visit http://bit.ly/Maxim_LiDAR_solutions
To order MAX40026 or learn more, visit http://bit.ly/MAX40026
To order MAX40660 or learn more, visit http://bit.ly/MAX40660
To order MAX40661 or learn more, visit http://bit.ly/MAX40661
For a hi-res image, visit http://bit.ly/Maxim_LiDAR_Image

With automotive self-driving systems evolving from 35mph to 65mph and beyond, LiDAR sensors are playing an increasing role in the fusion of vehicle sensors for their ability to provide accurate distance measurement of objects. With more than twice the bandwidth and the ability to accommodate 33 percent more channels within the same LiDAR module size compared to the closest competitor, the MAX40660/MAX40661 transimpedance amplifiers (TIAs) provide optical receiver designers with higher-resolution images that enable faster autonomous driving systems. The system size of the MAX40026 high-speed comparator plus the MAX40660/MAX40661 TIAs is 5mm² smaller than the closest competitive solution, which allows developers to fit far more channels into space-constrained vehicle platforms. These ICs meet the stringent safety requirements of the automotive industry with AEC-Q100 qualification, enhanced electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance and failure modes, effects and diagnostic analysis (FMEDA) to support ISO 26262 certification at the system level.

Key Advantages

Small Solution Size: The MAX40026 TDFN package size of 4mm² and the MAX40660/MAX40661 TDFN package size of 9mm² provide the industry's smallest overall solution size.
Industry's Highest Precision: Maxim Integrated's TIAs support 128 channels with the industry's highest bandwidth of 490MHz for MAX40660 and 2.1pA/√Hz input-referred noise density to support higher accuracy distance measurement in LiDAR applications; in addition, low propagation delay dispersion of the MAX40026 (10 picoseconds) contributes to accurate detection of both fixed and moving objects.
Low Power: MAX40660/MAX40661 reduces current consumption more than 80 percent in low power mode.

Commentary

"Excellent sensors need an excellent signal chain. It has been a pleasure collaborating with Maxim to create a joint evaluation kit leveraging each of our high-bandwidth LiDAR solutions," said Conny Heiler, director of Marketing at First Sensor.
"Automotive engineers need elements that support greater precision, lower power and smaller solution size in order to add next-generation LiDAR capabilities to cars rolling off the assembly line," said Veronique Rozan, executive director of business management, Core Automotive and Special Projects at Maxim Integrated. "Advancements in LiDAR-based solutions will support greater driver awareness and safety from next-generation automotive navigation systems."

Availability and Pricing

The MAX40026ATA/VY+T is available for $4.09 at Maxim Integrated's website; also available from authorized distributors
The MAX40660 is available for $3.95 (1000-up, FOB USA) at Maxim Integrated's website; also available from authorized distributors
The MAX40661 is available for $3.74 (1000-up, FOB USA) at Maxim Integrated's website; also available from authorized distributors
The MAX40026EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $71.40.
The MAX40660EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $102.90.
The MAX40661EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $102.90.

About Maxim Integrated
Maxim Integrated develops innovative analog and mixed-signal products and technologies to make systems smaller and smarter, with enhanced security and increased energy efficiency. We are empowering design innovation for our automotive, industrial, healthcare, mobile consumer and cloud data center customers to deliver industry-leading solutions that help change the world. Learn more at https://www.maximintegrated.com.