LiDAR ICs with 2x higher bandwidth for faster self-driving cars

New Products | February 27, 2020

By Rich Pell

Compared to the closest competitive solution, says the company, the MAX40026 high-speed comparator and the MAX40660/MAX40661 high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers enable 10 mph (15 km/h) faster autonomous driving at highway speeds by providing more than 2x higher bandwidth and accommodating 32 additional channels (128 vs. 96) to a LiDAR module within the same module size.

“Automotive engineers need elements that support greater precision, lower power and smaller solution size in order to add next-generation LiDAR capabilities to cars rolling off the assembly line,” says Veronique Rozan, executive director of business management, Core Automotive and Special Projects at Maxim Integrated. “Advancements in LiDAR-based solutions will support greater driver awareness and safety from next-generation automotive navigation systems.”

Key advantages of the devices are offered as the following:

Small Solution Size: The MAX40026 TDFN package size of 4 mm² and the MAX40660/MAX40661 TDFN package size of 9 mm² provide the industry’s smallest overall solution size.
Industry’s Highest Precision: Maxim Integrated’s TIAs support 128 channels with the industry’s highest bandwidth of 490 MHz for MAX40660 and 2.1 pA/√Hz input-referred noise density to support higher accuracy distance measurement in LiDAR applications; in addition, low propagation delay dispersion of the MAX40026 (10 picoseconds) contributes to accurate detection of both fixed and moving objects.
Low Power: MAX40660/MAX40661 reduces current consumption more than 80% in low-power mode.

The MAX40026ATA/VY+T is available for $4.09; the MAX40660 is available for $3.95 (1000-up, FOB USA); and the MAX40661 is available for $3.74 (1000-up, FOB USA). The MAX40026EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $71.40; the MAX40660EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $102.90; and the MAX40661EVKIT# evaluation kit is available for $102.90.

Maxim Integrated Products