Today’s reality Q: Can you buy FMCW components or a complete system today? A: Absolutely. There are many companies offering one or both paths to a complete system. For example, the Aeva CoreVision Lidar-on-Chip Technology of Figure 1 with a 500-meter range has an integrated silicon photonics module. The module incorporates all key FMCW LiDAR […]
FAQ
FAQ on the basics of FMCW LiDAR: part 2
This alternative to time-of-flight LiDAR has unique complexities and distinct attributes. Part one begins our look at what FMCW LiDAR is, the architecture and components it uses, and its performance capabilities. Electronic and optical components build a system Q: What hardware components are needed to create a basic FMCW LiDAR system? A: One perspective is […]
FAQ on the basics of FMCW LiDAR: part 1
This alternative to time-of-flight LiDAR has unique complexities and distinct attributes. When engineers hear the phrase LiDAR, an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging, they generally think of time-of-flight (ToF) systems. ToF LiDAR is widely used in automotive and robotic applications to “see” surroundings and obstacles. But there is another, radically different LiDAR approach: frequency […]
How can you choose, use, and trust a piezoelectric accelerometer?
Dynamic vibration measurements are critical in many applications, from military to automotive/trucks and machinery, as well as critical manufacturing sites, such as semiconductor wafer fabrication (fabs), and even to detect/monitor seismic events. Piezoelectric accelerometers are one of the sensor types frequently used for these measurements. Parameters for specifying piezoelectric accelerometers include response type (AC or […]
What is multimodal sensing in physical AI?
Multimodal sensing in physical AI (PAI), sometimes called embodied AI, is the ability for AI to fuse diverse sensory inputs, like vision, audio, touch, lidar, text, and more, from its environment to build a richer and more complete situation awareness, enabling complex physical interaction, perception, and autonomous action in the real world. A key application […]
What are the latest advances in radar and LiDAR technologies for sensor fusion: part 1
Through sensor fusion, the combined benefits of radar and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensing are being implemented in each new generation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Improvements in these sensing technologies will provide improved performance for future applications. However, they will also require advancements in cameras and other system aspects, including inertial measurement […]
What are the design challenges when using SPAD sensors?
Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensors are emerging on the market and are being used in automotive, medical, and industrial applications requiring extremely high sensitivity, precise timing, and 3D imaging capabilities, often in low-light conditions. Design challenges include managing dead time, suppressing noise sources like afterpulsing and dark counts, mitigating optical crosstalk, and achieving high photon […]
What are the key considerations for integrating lidar and radar data for robust perception: part 2
Practical techniques for improving sensor fusion accuracy In addition to the usual design techniques for improving sensor performance such as (1) calibration to correct errors including multi-point calibration for higher accuracy, and regular recalibration to correct for drift over time; (2) signal conditioning to correct for errors like offset and linearity, amplified signals for improved signal-to-noise […]
Key Considerations for integrating LiDAR and radar data for robust perception: part 1
For autonomous vehicle (AV) applications, both radar and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) are often used in addition to high-definition cameras and other sensors. The proper fusion of the output from these devices enables the detection of obstacles, identification of lane markings, and the accurate recognition of other vehicles and pedestrians. The radio waves (typically […]
Automotive sensor requirements for software-defined vehicles: latency, resolution, and zonal architecture
The automotive industry’s shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDV) and electrification is forcing a fundamental rethink of development processes, component specifications, and cross-industry collaboration. During a recent technical briefing, three engineers from TE Connectivity outlined how these changes are impacting everything from 30-year-old Stage-Gate processes to sensor latency requirements and the implementation of zonal architecture across […]
