Tessenderlo, Belgium, 4 March 2021 – Melexis, a global microelectronics engineering company, has entered into a license agreement with Chronoptics, a specialist in the design and integration of Time-of-Flight 3D cameras. The agreement gives Melexis exclusive use of Chronoptics’ multipath and linearity error correction technologies in automotive applications. This includes ADAS for autonomous vehicles, and interior monitoring and safety systems. The companies will also work together to further improve and deploy the technology in the automotive market.
Multipath interference in Time-of-Flight cameras can, in some use cases, lead to inaccurate depth measurements under specific conditions, such as when a wide Field-of-View (FoV) is used, or when the scene contains highly reflective objects. It is typically caused by stray light and scattering due to bright reflections in the scene. Chronoptics’ patented multipath correction technology recovers the correct depth values to produce accurate and robust point clouds even in the most challenging scenarios. With future vehicle applications set to demand an even wider FoV, the technology enables Melexis’ customers to address and mitigate potential challenges in advance.
Damien Macq, VP & General Manager Sense and Light business Unit, Melexis, commented: “These new IPs will be available for evaluation in our Time-of-Flight reference design. Our third-generation ToF sensors are a breakthrough in terms of sensor performance, and this innovative technology along with other Melexis’ IPs will further enhance system level performance”.
Richard Conroy, CEO, Chronoptics, said: “We are excited to partner with Melexis to deliver robust depth sensing solutions for the automotive industry. We are experts in tailoring fit-for-purpose 3D cameras that leverage our patented depth pipeline technologies and know-how to deliver clean and accurate 3D data for any application.”
To find out more about Melexis’ ToF portfolio, visit https://www.melexis.com/en/
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About Chronoptics
Chronoptics is a New Zealand based company that exists to simplify the design and integration of Time-of-Flight 3D camera solutions for our partners, enabling wider adoption across the most challenging applications. The Chronoptics KEA ToF development kit, built around the Melexis MLX75027 VGA sensor, is available to accelerate the development of your next 3D camera product.
For further information visit www.chronoptics.com
About Melexis
Combining a passion for technology with truly inspired engineering, Melexis designs, develops and delivers innovative micro-electronic solutions that enable designers to turn ideas into applications that support the best imaginable future. The company’s advanced mixed-signal semiconductor sensor and actuator components address the challenges of integrating sensing, driving and communication into next-generation products and systems that improve safety, raise efficiency, support sustainability and enhance comfort.
Melexis is a world leader in automotive semiconductor sensors. Today, on average, every new car produced worldwide contains 13 Melexis chips. Melexis has used its core experience to expand its portfolio of sensors and driver ICs. Now they also meet the needs of smart appliances, home automation, industrial and medical applications. Melexis sensing solutions include magnetic sensors, MEMS sensors (pressure, TPMS, infrared), sensor interface ICs, optoelectronic single point and linear array sensors and Time of Flight. The company’s driver IC portfolio incorporates advanced DC & BLDC motor controllers, LED drivers and FET pre-driver ICs, while Melexis has the know-how and expertise to build bridges between components, allowing them to communicate in a clear and fast way.
Melexis is headquartered in Belgium and employs over 1,500 people in 18 locations worldwide. The company is publicly traded on Euronext Brussels (MELE).
For more information, visit www.melexis.com
