Advancements in FlightSense ToF distance measuring sensors are required to manage smartphone cameras and enable augmented and virtual reality. Accordingly, ST is contributing to the development of next-generation devices by significantly improving several key components of the ToF module, including doubling distance measuring performance to up to 4 meters in all indoor areas.

STMicroelectronics (hereinafter ST) announced on the 17th that it has released the latest Flight Sense Time-of-Flight (ToF) distance measuring sensor that supports smartphone camera management and augmented and virtual reality.

ST explained that its latest ToF module significantly improves several key components to double distance measurement performance to up to 4m in all indoor areas and reduces power consumption by half compared to previous generation devices when operating under normal conditions.

The world's first optical metasurface technology, developed in collaboration with Metalens, allows optical systems to collect more light and provides multiple functions with a single layer. In addition, it supports new forms of detection functions for smartphones and other devices, and can provide all these functions in a compact package.

They explained that the VL53L8 is highly suitable for both user-facing and world-facing applications such as smartphones and tablets, and can be utilized in accessories for personal electronics such as smart speakers, AR, VR, and MR.

User-facing applications include object tracking and gesture recognition features. World-facing applications include laser, autofocus, camera selection, touch-to-focus, and flash dimming, and it was emphasized that the VL53L8 provides significant advantages in low-light conditions.

In addition to indoor and outdoor detection capabilities and Smart-Focus Bracketing, this sensor also supports consumer LiDAR requiring depth mapping.

In detail, this module integrates a high-power 940nm VCSEL light source, a System-on-Chip (SoC) sensor with a built-in VCSEL driver, a SPAD receiver array, and a low-power 32-bit MCU core.

The VL53L8 applies metasurface lens technology to both the transmitting and receiving apertures. In addition, like the VL53L5, this new sensor supports 16 or 64 individual distance measurement zones, providing stable and accurate enhanced distance measurement performance.

The VL53L8 is based on the innovative features provided by ST's previous generation ToF sensors, including the VL53L5. The second-generation distance measuring sensor incorporates diffractive optical metasurface lens technology and is manufactured at ST’s 300mm fab located in Croll, France.

ST explains that the VL53L8 combines a new VCSEL driver with three times the performance of the previous generation with an efficient VCSEL, providing twice the distance measurement performance of the VL53L5 under similar conditions and reducing power consumption by up to 50%.

It achieves this performance while maintaining the same field of view and individual output distance measurement zones (4x4 at 60 frames per second or 8x8 at 15 frames per second). Additionally, it is housed as a single reflow component providing 1.2V and 1.8VI/O compatibility for easy system integration, and it is explained that it can significantly reduce the host processor load compared to the requirements of first-generation sensors.

"ST's ToF technology has achieved great commercial success, currently being adopted in over 200 smartphone models and more than 100 PCs, projectors, and robot products," said Eric Oseda, Senior Vice President at ST. "Now, with the VL53L8 FlightSense sensor, we are taking performance and power efficiency to a new level."

He also stated, “This latest generation distance measuring sensor reduces battery load, extends the camera’s autofocus range, and enhances scene understanding capabilities through innovative metasurface lens technology and a power-efficient architecture.”