Automotive GaN Applications: Time of Flight (ToF)/Lidar

Time of Flight (ToF)/Lidar for Car Vision
GaN Enables Advanced Autonomy: See Farther, Faster, Better

Ahe advancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in cars relies on a variety of sensors. Long-range vision sensors are crucial for adaptive cruise control and future autonomous vehicle control. Short-range vision sensors are used for collision avoidance, backup assistance, parking assistance, and more.

As autonomous vehicles progress, Time-of-Flight (ToF)/Lidar systems emerge as the most cost-effective and safest means to achieve full autonomy. GaN FETs and ICs play a pivotal role in lidar circuits for autonomous vehicles, offering numerous advantages when driving various laser types such as VCSEL and edge emitting (EEL).

Key benefits of GaN technology in lidar circuits include:

  • Faster switching for shorter pulses and enhanced range resolution
  • Smaller footprint enabling high power density and compact solutions
  • Higher efficiency at higher pulse repetition rates
  • Superior reliability throughout the automotive lifetime
GaN automotive power

Reference Designs

Time of Flight (ToF)/Lidar Reference Designs

  Part
Number
Default
Configuration
Description VBUS
(max)
VINPUT
(max)
TPin
(min)
Max
Pulse (A)
Featured Product
EPC9144 Reference Board
EPC9144 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 12 5 1 ns 28 EPC2216 Buy Now
EPC9154 Reference Board
EPC9154 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 30 5 2 ns 10 EPC21601 Buy Now
EPC9156 Reference Board
EPC9156 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 30 5 2 ns 10 EPC21603 Buy Now
EPC9179 Reference Board
EPC9179 Resonant Pulse DToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 70 5 2 ns 75 EPC2252 Buy Now
EPC9181 Reference Board
EPC9181 Resonant Pulse DToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 70 5 2 ns 125 EPC2204A Buy Now
EPC9180 Reference Board
EPC9180 Resonant Pulse DToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 70 5 2 ns 230 EPC2218A Buy Now
EPC9150 Reference Board
EPC9150 Resonant Pulse DToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 160 5 1 ns 220 EPC2034C Buy Now
Vendor Part Number Description Max Pulse
(A)
Pulse Width Featured eGaN Product Vendor Link
Texas InstrumentsLMG1020EVM-006Lidar Evaluation Module401 ns - 2 nsEPC2019LMG1020EVM-006
Texas InstrumentsTIDA-01573Nanosecond Laser Driver Reference Design for Lidar601 nsEPC2019TIDA-01573

EPC’s application team is constantly working on new reference designs. If there is a requirement not met by the listed boards, please contact us via Ask a GaN Expert to discuss your application further or visit our forum to share your questions with other engineers.

Half-bridge development boards are available for quick evaluation of most eGaN FETs and ICs.

Products

Recommended AEC Devices for ToF/Lidar

Part Number Status Configuration VDS
max
VGS
max
max
RDS(on)
(mΩ)
@5VGS
QG
typ
(nC)
QGS
typ
(nC)
QGD
typ
(nC)
QOSS
typ
(nC)
ID (A) Pulsed ID
(A)
Package
(mm)
EPC2216 Active Single AEC 15 6 26 0.87 0.21 0.13 0.53 3.4 28 BGA 0.85 x 1.2 Buy Now
EPC2219 Preferred Single With Gate Diode AEC 65 5.75 3300 0.049 0.023 0.0037 0.114 0.5 0.5 BGA 0.9 x 0.9 Buy Now
EPC2219 Preferred Single With Gate Diode AEC 6 BGA 0.9 x 0.9 Buy Now
EPC2203 Active Single AEC 80 5.75 80 0.67 0.22 0.12 3.6 1.7 17 BGA 0.9 x 0.9 Buy Now
EPC2214 Active Single AEC 80 6 20 1.8 0.5 0.3 8 10 47 BGA 1.35 x 1.35 Buy Now
EPC2252 Preferred Single AEC 80 6 11 3.5 1 0.5 15 8.2 75 BGA 1.5x1.5 Buy Now
EPC2204A Preferred Single AEC 80 6 6 5.7 1.8 0.8 25 29 125 LGA 2.5 x 1.5 Buy Now
EPC2218A Preferred Single AEC 80 6 3.2 10.5 3.2 1.5 46 60 231 LGA 3.5 x 1.95 Buy Now
EPC2221 Preferred Dual Common Source AEC 100 6 58 0.85 0.27 0.19 4.7 5 20 BGA 1.35 x 1.35 Buy Now
GaN Power Bench

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Videos

GaN-based Solutions for Cost Effective Direct and Indirect Time-of-Flight Lidar Transmitters

Technical Documents

Ask a Lidar Expert

Ask an EPC Lidar Engineer a Question

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