Recently, one camera was equipped with a fully integrated infrared band-pass (IRBP) filter. MLX75026 is a new ToF 3D camera from Melexis, which reduces design complexity and cost while enabling more design choices when purchasing lenses. By incorporating IRBP, it eliminates the need to incorporate a separate infrared filter in the lens or sensor assembly. This solution is considered unique in the industry.
The AEC-Q100 qualified QVGA sensor further expands the company's third-generation ToF sensor. Integrating an IR bandpass filter eliminates the need for a separate bandpass filter, which simplifies design and fabrication, while also improving the selection of suitable IR-friendly lenses.
The device is targeted at automotive applications including driver monitoring, in-vehicle monitoring, gesture control, safety applications related to airbag deployment, head-up display driver positioning, and industrial applications such as automated guided vehicles, elevator entrances and (co-)bots.
"In every ToF application, an infrared filter is required to reduce out-of-band infrared light in the operating environment, which would otherwise reduce the dynamic range of the sensor," explains Gualtiero Bagnuoli, Marketing Manager for Melexis Optical Sensors. "A separate filter would add cost and complexity to the design, but by using MLX75026 with an IRBP filter, engineers can avoid cost and complexity and more easily explore the benefits of time of flight awareness."
The device features QVGA (320x240 pixels) resolution, 1/4" optical format, and supports 940nm illumination. Configuration is performed through the I2C interface and provides CSI-2 serial data output. Highly integrated, small size, and low power sensor Integration with IR bandpass filters facilitates the design of compact and cost-effective ToF cameras for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.
