Infineon lança primeiro sensor de imagem 3D automotivo compatível com ISO26262

Infineon launches first ISO26262 compatible automotive 3D image sensor

3D depth sensors play a key role in a vehicle's in-cabin monitoring systems, enabling innovative car cockpits and seamless connectivity with enhanced passive safety. These sensors are becoming essential for meeting regulations and NCAP ratings as drivers become more like passengers.

To this end, Infineon Technologies, in collaboration with 3D time-of-flight systems specialist pmdtechnologies ag, has developed the second generation of the REAL3 automotive image sensor – a high-resolution, ISO26262-compliant 3D image sensor.

“Leveraging our leadership in 3D sensing for consumer applications, we now offer high resolution with a small image circle for the automotive world,” said Christian Herzum, vice president of 3D sensing at Infineon. “This allows cars to have consumer-world functions while maintaining automotive standards and even improving passive safety. For example, reliable and secure facial authentication enables seamless connectivity for any type of service that requires authentication, such as payment, battery charging or accessing private data.”

Furthermore, the same camera meets all driver monitoring requirements to detect driver distraction and fatigue. This allows us to offer a secure 3D facial recognition driver monitoring system using just a ToF camera.

“From the beginning, we were focused on improving the robustness of PMD-based ToF technology against external influences such as sunlight or other disturbing light sources. For this reason, the new imager delivers excellent, cutting-edge performance even under harsh conditions,” said Bernd Buxbaum, CEO of pmdtechnologies ag.

The sensor comes in a 9 x 9 mm² plastic BGA package and offers a VGA system resolution of 640 x 480 pixels with a small 4 mm image circle. This allows lens sizes similar to those known in smartphones, but now also for automotive applications. The high resolution of the REAL3 sensor also makes it suitable for camera applications with a wide field of view, such as complete front row occupant monitoring systems. The resulting 3D body models enable accurate estimates of occupant size and weight, as well as highly accurate passenger and seat position data, which is essential information for the intelligent deployment of airbags and restraint systems.

In addition to its small size, the single-chip solution is AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualified and is the first of its kind developed to the ISO26262 (ASIL-B) standard.

In addition to critical safety applications, 3D data enables comfort features such as gesture control or intuitive interior lighting that follows passengers' movements. Furthermore, the imager can be used in environmental perception scenarios as a Flash-LiDAR in the automotive space and – based on safety compliance – is also an ideal candidate for adjacent applications in mobile robotics, drones and other use cases. autonomous in general where reliability and safety are essential to protect operators.

Depth sensor time-of-flight technology is the foundation for a wide range of use cases. It provides highly reliable distance information and, at the same time, a 2D grayscale image of the entire scene under all ambient light conditions — at night, in sunlight, and under strongly varying lighting conditions.

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