ROHM launches high-output power laser diode for LiDAR

【Lansheng Technology News】ROHM has developed a high-output power semiconductor laser diodeRLD90QZW3, which is very suitable for applications such as AGVs and service robots in industrial equipment equipped with LiDAR for ranging and spatial identification, and sweeping robots in consumer electronics equipment.

In recent years, LiDAR, which can accurately measure distances and identify spaces, has become increasingly popular in a wide range of applications that require automated work, such as AGVs, sweeping robots, and self-driving cars. Against this background, in order to detect the required information "further" and "more accurately", the market requires that laser diodes as light sources can improve their output power and performance.

ROHMalready has an exclusive patented technology to achieve a narrower laser emission amplitude, which helps LiDAR support long-distance detection and achieve higher accuracy. ROHM launched the 25W laser diode "RLD90QZW5" in 2019 and the 75W laser diode "RLD90QZW3" in 2021. In order to meet the market's strong demand for higher output power, ROHM has launched a new product with an output power of up to 120W.

"RLD90QZW8" is a 120W high-output power infrared laser diode developed for LiDAR applications that use 3D ToF systems for ranging and spatial recognition. Utilizing ROHM's exclusive component development technology, compared with competing products on the market, the new product's laser wavelength temperature impact is reduced by 66% to only Δ11.6nm (average 0.10nm/℃). This advantage helps achieve miniaturization of bandpass filters, which in turn helps LiDAR achieve long-distance detection. In addition, the new product also achieves the industry's smallest ultra-narrow luminescence amplitude of 270 μm*, and achieves uniform and stable luminescence intensity within the 264 μm range (97% of the luminescence amplitude), which helps improve LiDAR accuracy. In addition, the new product also achieves excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE), and the light output is more efficient, helping to reduce LiDAR power consumption.

Not only that, ROHM's official website also provides free design information needed for new product evaluation and introduction to provide support for accelerating the introduction of this product. Laser diodes that drive LiDAR applications require nanosecond-level high-speed switching, so ROHM also announced the corresponding reference design c" on its official website. In addition to new products, this reference design also features the EcoGaN™ series developed by ROHM 150V GaN HEMT and gate driver.

Samples of the new product will begin to be sold in September 2023 (sample price is 3,500 yen per piece, tax excluded), and it is expected to be temporarily put into mass production at a scale of 200,000 units per month starting in December 2023. In addition, samples have also begun to be sold through e-commerce platforms. Currently, all ROHM manufacturing plants in the front-end and back-end processes have obtained IATF 16949 global automotive industry quality management system certification. In addition, laser diode products that support automotive applications (compliant with AEC-Q102 standards) are also under development and are planned to be launched in 2024.