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Tech - ToF

Single Zone dToF Solutions

Time-of-Flight sensors from ams are based on a proprietary SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Photodiode) pixel design and time-to-digital converters (TDCs) which have an extremely narrow pulse width. They can measure in real time the direct time-of-flight of a VCSEL (laser) emitter’s infrared ray reflected from an object. 

This low-power Time-of-Flight sensing technology from ams enables host systems to measure distances accurately and at very high speed. Accurate distance measurements are used in various applications including presence detection, user face recognition and advanced cameras.

Find out more about our Time-of-Flight sensor TMF8801 with 940nm integrated IR VCSEL in a 2.2mm x 3.6mm x 1.0mm optical module 1.8V I²C and recommended operating distances of 2-250 cm.

Read more about our Time-of-Flight sensor TMF8701 with 940nm integrated IR VCSEL in a 2.2mm x 3.6mm x 1.0mm optical module 1.8V I²C and recommended operating distances of 60cm.

Technology - ToF description

Histogram-based architecture and smart algorithms in our Time of Flight sensors

Thanks to sophisticated histogram data and smart software algorithms developed by ams, its Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors:

  • are able to detect and cancel out the effect of cover glass
  • are immune to smudges and to crosstalk caused by reflections from the cover glass
  • accommodate a large air gap
  • maintain accurate distance detection independent of the object’s color, reflectivity and texture
  • can measure the distance from multiple objects in the field of view
Time of Flight Sensors Histogram
Tech - 3d dToF

3D dToF Solution

The implementation of 3D direct Time-of-Flight in mobile devices promises to spark the next wave of killer consumer applications, from photography enhancement to AR interactions. 
Integrating ams’ 3D optical sensing solutions with a partner’s advanced middleware and software for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and 3D image processing offers the option for manufacturers to quickly and more simply implement augmented reality (AR) functions on mobile devices. Read also our press release about 3D direct Time-of-Flight.

ams expects to be production ready soon with a fully integrated 3D dToF sensing solution superior to any existing implementation. Features will include: 

  • Superior detect range at constant resolution and absolute precision in all lighting conditions including outdoors – not possible in other 3D solutions
  • Best-in-class high ambient light immunity – 20x higher peak power compared to 3D ToF solutions currently available in the market
  • Lowest average power consumption optimized for mobile – for room scanning distance range at high framerate (>30fps)
mobile 3D dToF AR