TechXchange: LiDAR Time-of-Flight Sensors

A rising number of advanced applications, from robotics to automotive, are implementing LiDAR technology to handle data gathering.
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April 30, 2026
2 min read

In This TechXchange

 

 

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LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a great way to provide computers with information about the surrounding environment. It uses time-of-flight, usually with an LED source. The technology is available in 3D versions, providing a 3D point cloud for applications from robotics to smart cars with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

This TechXchange focuses on LiDAR, including its implementation, technology, and applications. LiDAR technology has changed significantly, leading to smaller packaging, higher resolution, and lower power requirements, making the technology suitable for a wider range of applications.

Here’s just one example of our LiDAR coverage.

SPAD-based Camera Delivers High Dynamic Range Video

This single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD)-based camera is a specialized implementation of LiDAR.

Delving into LiDAR Technology

These articles take a closer look at the technology behind LiDAR, including 3D implementations.

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Whether measuring distance or making it easier to create accurate and detailed 3D mapping, LiDAR is quickly becoming a go-to technology for multiple applications.
11 Myths About LiDAR Technology
Cepton CEO and co-founder Dr. Jun Pei tackles the myths around LiDAR technology amid its rising popularity in helping with autonomous-vehicle navigation.
GaN Devices Power the Next Generation of LiDAR Systems
Sponsored by Texas Instruments: For LiDAR systems to meet ever-higher performance specs, they must perform fast switching of high-current pulses, which is where a gallium-nitride...
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LiDAR in autonomous driving
Discover how adaptive-computing technology is extending the capabilities of LiDAR sensors to deliver higher depth resolution and reliability, overcoming challenges in autonomous...
OSRAM
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Osram’s Michael Godwin explains the ways in which infrared high-power SMT components for LiDAR applications help systems developers meet complex safety requirements in semi-autonomous...
Compact, Less-Expensive LiDAR Could Lead to Smaller, Cheaper AVs
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a low-cost, miniature optical beamsteering component that consumes much lower power than previous approaches.

LiDAR Products and Solutions

Quite a few LiDAR products are available these days for applications ranging from robotics to cars. Shown below is just a short collection of some of the available options.

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Texas Instruments' LMH13000 integrated laser driver delivers an 800-ps rise time and 50-mA to 5-A adjustable output current, enabling LiDAR modules in vehicles and autonomous ...
BMW
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Learn more about the role of GaN power FETs and the gate drivers behind them in LiDAR sensors.
ROHM Semiconductor
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ROHM’s new 1-kW, 905-nm, 1x8 laser array is aimed at LiDAR and ADAS applications. Andy also provides his EDitor’s Take on designing with this component.
SPAD-based Camera Delivers High Dynamic Range Video
Ubicept’s single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD)-based camera works well for automotive applications.
Software-Defined Flash LiDAR Delivers Low Cost Near-Field 3D Sensing
PreAct’s software-defined Mojave flash LiDAR sensor provides a 3D point cloud.
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Built on Cadence’s Tensilica Xtensa customizable processor architecture, the ConnX DSPs implement systems at power levels that reduce the need for hardware accelerators.
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The small form factor of the Vista-X-120, which consumes only 9 W, makes it possible to integrate the sensor into the vehicle’s body.
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Cadence’s latest Tensilica Vision DSPs combine advanced vision technologies with AI processing to address automotive sensor fusion.

LiDAR News and Trends

We tend to focus on technology and solutions at Electronic Design, but on occasion we track news as well as trends. LiDAR covers a lot of ground from automotive to robotics, and it’s gaining more interest these days due to self-driving cars and drones.

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To bring vehicle automation to the next level, designers seek next-generation ADAS solutions. This article examines tradeoffs for sensor options like LiDAR and looks at sensing...
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A key goal is to shorten the LiDAR signal chain, which would ultimately help boost performance for automotive and industrial systems.
SILC
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This advanced FMCW LiDAR platform integrates indie’s Surya SoC and SiLC’s Eyeonic vision sensor.
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Xilinx's Willard Tu discusses the use of LiDAR in the automotive industry and beyond.

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About the Author

William G. Wong
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William G. Wong

Senior Content Director - Electronic Design and Microwaves & RF

I am Editor of Electronic Design focusing on embedded, software, and systems. As Senior Content Director, I also manage Microwaves & RF and I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, programmers, developers and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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I earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters in Computer Science from Rutgers University. I still do a bit of programming using everything from C and C++ to Rust and Ada/SPARK. I do a bit of PHP programming for Drupal websites. I have posted a few Drupal modules.  

I still get a hand on software and electronic hardware. Some of this can be found on our Kit Close-Up video series. You can also see me on many of our TechXchange Talk videos. I am interested in a range of projects from robotics to artificial intelligence. 

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