Time-of-flight device flaunts accuracy up to 2m

Intersil Corp. has announced what it describes as an innovative time-of-flight (ToF) signal processing IC that gives a complete object detection and distance measurement solution when combined with an external emitter (LED or laser) and photodiode. According to the company, the ISL29501 boasts ultra-small size, low-power consumption and superior performance for connected devices aimed at Internet of Things (IoT), as well as consumer mobile devices and the emerging commercial drone market.

The ISL29501 overcomes the shortcomings of traditional amplitude-based proximity sensors and other ToF solutions that perform poorly in lighting conditions above 2,000 lux, or cannot provide distance information unless the object is perpendicular to the sensor. Alternative solutions are too expensive, bulky or power hungry for use in small form factor, battery-powered applications. Based on Intersil's patented technology, the ISL29501 sensor provides a small solution footprint and precision long-range accuracy up to 2m in both dark and bright ambient light conditions.

Unlike competitive solutions, the ISL29501 allows customers to select the emitter and photodiode of their choice and configure a low power ToF sensing system customised for their application, stated the company. To make system design easy for customers, Intersil offers a reference design featuring the ISL29501, emitter and photodiode, along with graphical user interface (GUI) software and user's guide.

The ISL29501 applies Intersil's power management expertise to save power and extend battery life through several innovations. The on-chip emitter DAC with programmable current up to 255mA allows system designers to select the desired current level for driving the external infrared (IR) LED or laser. This feature enables optimisation of distance measurement, object detection and power budget. The device's single shot mode saves power by allowing designers to define the sampling period for initial object detection and approximate distance, while continuous mode more accurately measures distance. The ISL29501 also performs system calibration to accommodate performance variations of the external components across temperature and ambient light conditions.

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