For usage in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) that have LiDAR for spatial recognition and distance measurement, ROHM has developed the RLD8BQAB3 high output laser diode. Initially, ROHM will begin providing samples for consumer and commercial applications, including service robots, drones, robot vacuum cleaners, and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles).
In recent years, LiDAR has become increasingly popular in many automation-required applications, including robot vacuums, drones, AGVs, and automotive ADAS. It allows for accurate distance measuring and spatial recognition.
In order to obtain high kW-level output and enable multiple light sources to generate light at close intervals, laser diodes that function as light sources are required in order to detect information at greater distances with greater accuracy.
Addressing The Need For a High Output, High Performance laser diode
With the launch of the 25W output RLD90QZW5 in 2019 and the high-power 120W RLD90QZW8 in 2023, ROHM has developed unique technology that narrows the emission width of lasers, improving long-distance, high precision LiDAR.
In order to address the need for a high output, high performance laser diode, we have created a new 125W 8ch (1kW class) array-type device.
Ultra-Compact Surface Mount High-Output Infrared Laser Diode
An ultra-compact surface mount high-output 125W × 8ch infrared laser diode, the RLD8BQAB3 is used in LiDAR applications that use 3D ToF systems to do spatial recognition and distance measurement. Each element in the optimized design has eight emission regions, each 300 µm wide, mounted on a submount that is fixed to a substrate with a high heat dissipation capacity.
High beam quality is ensured by the clear glass cover on the package’s emitting surface, which is an industry first for a surface mount laser diode and removes the possibility of light dispersion from scratches during dicing that sometimes happens with resin-encapsulated goods.
Because every emission area is connected to a single cathode, the irradiation method can be chosen according to the requirements of the application, ranging from individual emission that expands the number of light-emitting spots to industry-leading* simultaneous emission at ultra-high outputs of 1kW class.
Complmenting ROHM’s Traditional Laser Diodes
The new product maintains the main features of ROHM’s traditional laser diodes, such as a low wavelength temperature dependence of 0.1 nm/°C (as opposed to 0.26 to 0.28 nm/°C for regular products) and consistent emission intensity over the emission width.
Additionally, the bandpass filter reduces the impact of ambient light noise from the sun and other sources, while the array structure limits the areas of decreased emission intensity between channels, enabling high-definition LiDAR and long-distance detection.
Samples are available since August 2024 (please contact a sales representative or visit the contact page on ROHM’s website).
Application Examples
Automotive: ADAS |Â Consumer: Drones, robot vacuums, golf rangefinders, and more |Â Industrial: AGVs, service robots, 3D monitoring systems (sensors for human/object detection), etc.
