As some of you may know, I had surgery last week. Below is a very interesting and timely article written by our friend and colleague Hans J. Friedrichkeit of PCB Network. Based in Germany, Hans has a long history of key management positions in the electronics industry. I especially welcome Hans’ excellent contribution while I am recovering this week. Hans’s email is info@pcb-network.com. Welcome, and thank you, Hans.  – Walt Custer

LIDAR (light detection and ranging) is a radar-related method for optical distance and speed measurement, as well as for remote measurement of atmospheric parameters. Instead of radio waves as in radar, laser beams are used, explains Wikipedia.

The method is as old as laser technology. A laser diode sends a light pulse. Today, the fastest achieve 2.5 ns and thus achieve a higher scanning resolution. If the light pulse hits an obstacle, it is reflected and the receiving electronics measures the time (i.e. time of flight or ToF) and calculates the distance. Today's LIDAR systems can even identify road users and obstacles.

Fig.1: Market development of LIDAR systems, 2018–2024, in US$ million by segment

According to Yole, the LIDAR market achieved a sales volume of US$1.3 billion in 2018. The LIDAR market is expected to further grow (Fig. 1) and to reach $6 billion by 2024. This corresponds to an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 64 percent.

The forecasts in LIDAR's five main application segments are very different. In the future area of Robotic vehicles, the CAGR is 55 percent. The current ADAS vehicles, i.e. vehicles with several assistance systems, reach 113 percent CAGR. This also includes the Audi A8, which was introduced two years ago and is capable of Level 3 semi-automated driving. For the first time, a VALEO LIDAR system with a rotating mirror was used as standard (fig. 2).

For comparison, topographical LIDAR – which is used, for example, to create 3D terrain models – is expected to grow at only 7 percent per year. Wind LIDAR, which can record wind speed and direction as well as turbulence, has a forecast growth rate of 9 percent per year. The industrial LIDAR segment is expected to grow at an annual 25 percent growth rate until 2024.

The majority of manufacturers rely on cost-effective CMOS technology with a wavelength in the infrared range from 830 to 940 nm. Another group relies on short-wave infrared in the 1000 nm to 1600 nm range, based on InGaAS (indium gallium arsenide) semiconductor technology.

LIDAR rotary scanners are increasingly being replaced by LIDAR systems without moving parts based on Flash and MEMs.

Mass Application Lowers Prices

According to IHS Markit, five million vehicles will be equipped with LIDAR systems by 2025.

Currently, a 905 nm LIDAR is US$1,500 with a target price of $600 by 2025; and a 1550 nm mechanical LIDAR is expected to drop from $1,200 to $620. A 905 nm LIDAR with an electronic scanning process, currently $590, could reach the automotive industry’s target price of $200 in five years.

Fig. 2: Sensor fields for environment monitoring Audi A8 (Image: Audi)

The first vehicle equipped with a LIDAR laser system as standard for distance, speed and object recognition was the Audi A8 in 2017. This was also the first vehicle with highly automated driving according to Level 3 standards, which unfortunately has not yet been released because official approval is lacking.

The 2017 A8 features a long-range radar looking forward; four mid-range radars in the fenders; a monocamera on the rearview mirror; 14 ultrasonic sensors; and a Valeo LIDAR rotary laser scanner in the grille. All the data converges in the brain of the car, the central driver assistance control unit.

The Goal: Hi-Res 3D Flash LIDAR for Highly Automated Driving

The Hi-Res 3D Flash LIDAR without moving parts completes the current portfolio of environment sensors which are required for the realization of highly and fully automated driving. A major advantage of the Hi-Res 3D Flash LIDAR sensor technology is that it offers both real-time image understanding and environmental detection functions.

This technology provides a much more comprehensive and detailed picture of the entire vehicle environment both day and night and works reliably up to 200 meters, even in adverse weather conditions. The pulsed laser scans the environment with signals received from a highly integrated sensor chip similar to a digital camera. The pulse time per pixel, which corresponds to the distance to the object, is recorded.

The idea is to create a reliable environment model by combining 2D color camera, 24 GHz and 77 GHz radar and the new 3D Flash LIDAR. This includes dynamic information on other road users and static objects such as lane boundaries; high-precision information on one's own position; and information on traffic control. The 2D color cameras operate in the visible light range, i.e. 400 nm to 700 nm. The new 3D Flash LIDAR covers the 1064 nm wavelength. The 77 GHz radar has a wavelength of 3.9 mm and the 24 GHz radar, 12.5 mm.

The automotive industry’s technological goal for Level 4 fully automated driving is to combine and evaluate all data from LIDAR, camera, 77 GHz long-range radar and 24 GHz mid-range radar in a central control unit.


Walt D. Custer

Walt Custer

Walt Custer is an industry analyst focused on the global electronics industry. Prior to forming Custer Consulting Group he was Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Morton Electronic Materials, a global supplier of specialty chemicals and process equipment for the PCB industry.

Custer has been a member of the IPC trade organization since 1975 where he received both the President's and the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame Awards. He is currently a member of the IPC Executive Market & Technology Steering Committee. Custer is also a Director of the EIPC European PCB trade organization.

He authors regular “Market Outlook” columns for Global SMT & Packaging magazine, the Journal of the HKPCA and the TTI MarketEYE website.

View other posts from Walt D. Custer. View other posts from Walt D. Custer.

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