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

Time of Flight (ToF)/Lidar for Robotics, e-Mobility, and Drones
GaN Enables Advanced Autonomy: See Farther, Faster, Better

Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors and integrated circuits serve as the critical components powering the laser systems in Time-of-Flight (ToF) and lidar technologies. These are essential for a range of applications, including autonomous vehicles, robotics, and drones.

There are two types of time-of-flight systems Direct Time of Flight (DToF) and Indirect Time of Flight (IToF). DToF systems focus on calculating the time interval between the emission of a laser pulse and its subsequent reflection, making them ideal for long-range applications like autonomous driving. On the other hand, IToF systems measure the phase difference between the transmission and reflection envelope and are used often in flash lidar systems and for short-range applications such as collision avoidance.

GaN FETs and ICs excel in generating high-current pulses with extraordinarily brief pulse widths, a requirement for ToF and lidar systems aiming for higher resolution, extended range, and enhanced safety. The compact size, cost-effectiveness, and superior performance of GaN make it the go-to solution for lidar systems striving for quicker, more accurate, and more reliable distance measurement and object detection.

Specific GaN ICs, like the EPC21601 and EPC21603, not only outperform their silicon counterparts but also offer advantages in terms of cost, size, and component count, making them a more efficient and effective choice for modern ToF/lidar systems.

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  
EPC9165 Demonstration Board
EPC9144 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 12 5 1 ns 28 EPC2216 Buy Now
EPC9165 Demonstration Board
EPC9154 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 30 5 2 ns 10 EPC21601 Buy Now
EPC9156 Demonstration Board
EPC9156 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 30 5 2 ns 10 EPC21603 Buy Now
EPC9172 Demonstration Board
EPC9172 IToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 60 5 2 ns 15 EPC21701 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
EPC9165 Demonstration Board
EPC9150 Resonant Pulse DToF High Current Pulsed Laser Diode Driver Demo Board 160 5 1 ns 220 EPC2034C Buy Now

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 GaN 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)
EPC2040 Active Single 15 6 30 0.745 0.23 0.14 0.42 3.4 28 BGA 0.85 x 1.2 Buy Now
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
EPC21603 Preferred Single eToF™ Laser Driver 40 5 1.5 3.4 15 BGA 1 x 1.5 Buy Now
EPC21601 Preferred Single eToF™ Laser Driver 40 5 1.5 3.4 15 BGA 1 x 1.5 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
EPC21701 Preferred Single eToF™ Laser Driver 80 5.5 4.2 7.2 15 BGA 1.7 x 1 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
EPC2204A Preferred Single AEC 80 6 6 5.7 1.8 0.8 25 29 167 LGA 2.5 x 1.5 Buy Now
EPC2218A Preferred Single AEC 80 6 3.2 10.5 3.2 1.5 46 60 309 LGA 3.5 x 1.95 Buy Now
EPC2038 Active Single with Gate Diode 100 6 3300 0.044 0.02 0.004 0.134 0.5 0.5 BGA 0.9 x 0.9 Buy Now
EPC2038 Active Single with Gate Diode 6 BGA 0.9 x 0.9 Buy Now
EPC8010 Active Single 100 6 160 0.36 0.13 0.06 2.2 4 7.5 LGA 2.05 x 0.85 Buy Now
EPC2036 Active Single 100 6 73 0.7 0.17 0.14 3.9 1.7 18 BGA 0.9 x 0.9 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
EPC2051 Preferred Single 100 6 25 1.8 0.6 0.3 7.3 1.7 37 BGA 0.85 x 1.3 Buy Now
EPC2070 Preferred Single 100 6 23 1.9 0.6 0.2 6 1.7 34 BGA 0.85 x 1.3 Buy Now
EPC2044 Preferred Single 100 6 10.5 4.3 1.3 0.5 15 9.4 89 BGA 2.15 x 1.25 Buy Now
EPC2204 Preferred Single 100 6 6 5.7 1.8 0.8 25 29 125 LGA 2.5 x 1.5 Buy Now
EPC2088 Preferred Single 100 6 3.2 12.5 4.4 1.4 47 60 231 LGA 3.5 x 1.95 Buy Now
EPC2110 Active Dual Common Source 120 6 110 0.8 0.25 0.18 4 3.4 20 BGA 1.35 x 1.35 Buy Now
EPC2234 Preferred Single AEC 160 5.5 8 11.1 3.8 2 96 48 213 BGA 4.6 x 2.6 Buy Now
EPC2012C Active Single 200 6 100 1 0.3 0.2 10 5 22 LGA 1.7 x 0.9 Buy Now
EPC2054 Preferred Single 200 6 43 2.9 0.9 0.3 15 3 32 BGA 1.3 x 1.3 Buy Now
EPC2207 Preferred Single 200 6 22 4.5 1.3 0.7 23 14 54 LGA 2.8 x 0.925 Buy Now
EPC2307 Engr Single 200 6 10 10.6 3.8 1.3 58 48 130 QFN 3 x 5 Buy Now
EPC2215 Preferred Single 200 6 8 13.6 3.3 2.1 69 32 162 LGA 4.6 x 1.6 Buy Now
EPC2304 Engr Single 200 6 5 21 7.5 2.6 115 102 260 QFN 3 x 5 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

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