2020-09-01

Total VCSEL Revenue Expected to Reach US$1.8 Billion in 2021 Owing to Integration of 3D Sensing and 5G, Says TrendForce

In early 2020, TrendForce forecasted the release of more than 10 high-end smartphone models equipped with 3D sensing solutions this year, which would drive up 3D sensing VCSEL revenue* to US$1.404 billion. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on global smartphone shipment, and the Indian consumer market exhibited strong demand for entry-level and mid-range smartphone models, smartphone brand vendors have subsequently slowed down their pace of integrating 3D sensing solutions into high-end models. TrendForce is revising its forecasted 3D sensing VCSEL (fo...
Continue reading
2020-08-25

Ibeo to Deliver New LiDAR Sensor Based on AMS’ VCSEL Technology

German LiDAR sensor company Ibeo Automotive Systems announced that it will begin delivery of its new ibeoNEXT LiDAR sensor starting in October 2020. The sensor is based on a completely new type of photon laser measurement technology and works completely without moving parts (real solid-state). One of the key component of the product is VCSEL provided by AMS. (Image: Ibeo) Developed in-house by Ibeo and manufactured in accordance with automotive series production standards, the new LiDAR sensor is suitable for driver assistance systems as well as for a...
Continue reading
2020-08-07

Ibeo Adopts AMS’ VCSEL for Its Solid-State LiDAR to Support Automotive Manufacturer Great Wall Motor

AMS and Ibeo Automotive Systems confirm that ams VCSEL technology is a core component of Ibeo’s new solid-state LiDAR solution, ibeoNEXT. Ibeo’s LiDAR system will be used in Level-3 automated driving on production vehicles at Great Wall Motor Company starting in 2022. The VCSEL manufacturing technology of ams allows for flexibility in layout design regarding number of pixels, their size and pitch, and specific addressability patterns. The VCSELs can differentiate in scan and flash applications as they are less sensitive to individual e...
Continue reading
2020-06-15

Huawei Invests in China-based VCSEL Maker Vertilite to Secure Its Supply Chain

Huawei’s subsidiary Hubble recently invested in Vertilite, a semiconductor startup focusing on VCSEL development. The amount of the investment was not revealed. Vertilite has become the VCSEL supply of Huawei after the U.S. banned Lumentum shipment to the China tech giant in May, 2019. Huawei thus turned to Vertilite for the 3D sensing component and further pushed the de-Americanization plan. Hubble is an investment company of Huawei and has invested different China-based semiconductor companies to help strengthening their technology and fortifying i...
Continue reading
2020-06-09

New VCSEL-based 3D Sensing Emitter Module by Osarm Support Advanced Camera Function and AR Applications for Smartphones

Osram revealed an intelligent emitter module for 3D sensing which allows smartphones to take high-quality images and videos with staggered depth of field. Besides optimizing image content, the module can also be used for 3D object recognition or AR applications. The product is designed to strengthen camera function of smartphones. Innovative functionalities of mobile devices require components to fit into ever smaller spaces. A central task for manufacturers has been to find the right emitters, photodiodes and VCSEL driver chips (ICs), then calibrate them and finally insta...
Continue reading
2020-03-18

AMS Introduces World’s Smallest IR Flood Illuminator for 3D Face Scan

Sensor solution provider AMS debuted a new IR flood illuminator module, Merano Hybrid, which integrates the laser emitter, laser driver, optical stack and eye-safety monitoring to enhance 3D sensing capabilities for mobile products. (Image: AMS) The highly power-efficient 2W Merano-Hybrid is suitable for use in the latest 3D sensing technologies, including the Time-of-Flight and Structured Light methods. Applications such as face recognition, augmented reality, 3D object scanning and 3D image rendering, as well as other industrial and automotive applications, w...
Continue reading
2020-02-05

VEECO Introduce MOCVD Systems for Mass Production of Advanced Photonics Devices Covering Micro LED and VCSEL

Veeco Instruments introduced the Lumina MOCVD platform, which incorporates its proprietary TurboDisc® reactor technology for film uniformity, yield and device performance for photonics applications. This new MOCVD platform, including the Lumina R480™ and Lumina R480S™ models, will accelerate the production of VCSEL, Edge-Emitting Laser (EEL) and Mini / Micro LED devices. The equipment provider brought its new products to Photonics West, starting February 4, in San Francisco. (Image: Veeco) According to Veeco, the new Lumin...
Continue reading
2020-02-04

Osram Launches Infrared Laser and VCSEL Products for 3D Sensing and LiDAR

Osram and its subsidiary Vixar both launched new sensing products covering infrared laser and VCSEL. (Image: Osram) Osram adds a 65 Watt laser, SPL DP90_3 to its LiDAR photonics portfolio for high resolution, near-field detection for bringing autonomous driving one step closer. Long-range LiDAR is used to detect objects up to approximately 250 meters away. The immediate surroundings of the car must also be reliably captured by short- or mid-range LiDAR, which covers a distance up to approximately 90 meters from the vehicle. Short- or mid-range LiDAR c...
Continue reading
2019-10-17

Infineon Radar Technology and ams VCSEL Support Gesture Control and Face Unlock for Google Pixel 4

Google launched its latest smart phones Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL on October 15, featuring advanced camera functions, motion sensing and face unlock. The new features of Pixel 4 are supported by sensing technology specialists including Infineon and ams. (Image: Google) Google created Motion Sense to detect users hand motions based on its technology from Project Soli. The technology allows user operate the device simply by swiping or waving hands in front of it Instead of touching or holding the phone. This function was achieved thanks to Infineon’s radar chip. T...
Continue reading
2019-07-25

IQE Commences VCSEL Production for Second Major Customer

UK-based wafer supplier IQE announced that it has started initial VCSEL production for a second major customer at its Newport Mega Foundry. The products will serve the Android supply chains and several more in advanced stages of qualification. The company noted that performance data from the Newport Foundry has exceeded previously attained performance levels, and several new qualifications are now in long term reliability testing. As a result, IQE has signed a contract extension with one of its largest VCSEL customers, extending the current contract until the...
Continue reading
2019-07-22

The Cell Phone 3D Sensing Market Enters Growth Stage, with VCSEL Revenue Possibly Reaching US$1.139 Billion, Says TrendForce

According to the latest Infrared Sensing Application Market Trend Report by LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, seeing that smartphone shipments are predicted to decline for whole 2019 year, cell phone brands will be engaging in a 'specs -contest' with their flagship devices for the second half-year, and 3D sensing modules will become an important component in that race. Market revenue for VCSELs used by cell phones utilizing 3D sensing is projected to reach US$1.139 billion as a result of this trend. “For 2019, besides Apple, who will be implementing...
Continue reading
2019-07-18

UnitySC Introduces Phase Shift Deflectometry Technology for Detecting Invisible Topographic Defects on GaAs Wafer for VCSEL

Unity Semiconductor (UnitySC), the France-based semiconductor inspection solution provider, announced that it has demonstrate the capability of detecting topographic defects on GaAs wafers for VCSEL in LiDAR and 3D recognition applications. On top of common Surface Scanning Inspection Systems (SSIS) and Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) systems, UnitySC noted that it is able to find out defects that are not visible on standard optical inspection systems. These defects do not scatter or absorb light, and can only be revealed by their topography but the...
Continue reading
2019-06-25

Veeco Instruments Unveils the Keys of VCSEL Development and Current Market Trends

VCSEL applications including distance sensing, autofocus, 3D sensing and more have been increasing in recent year with rising demands of facial recognition technology in smartphones as well as ADAS technologies in driverless vehicles. To strengthen VCSEL development, not only chip producers but also equipment providers are improving their techniques to offer advanced technologies to achieve next generation applications. Veeco Instrument, the US-based semiconductor equipment manufacturer, is working on optimizing their MOCVD tools to leverage their technology, help...
Continue reading
2019-06-21

TriLumina Launches the World’s First Surface-Mount Flip-Chip Back-Emitting VCSEL Array

TriLumina announced the launch of a surface-mount flip-chip back-emitting VCSEL array without the need for a submount or bond wires, allowing lower costs and higher performance than existing designs using near-infrared light-emitting laser diodes or LEDs for 3D sensing. Conventional VCSEL arrays are mounted on a submount and use bond wires for electrical connections. TriLumina’s back-emitting VCSEL technology has been flip-chip packaged and used in automotive long-range LiDAR prototypes, for low power mobile and in-cabin 3D sensing applications. (Im...
Continue reading
2019-05-21

ams Partners Ibeo and ZF to Deliver LiDAR Technology for Autonomous Driving

Austria-based sensor developer ams announces that it has signed an agreement to team with Ibeo Automotive Systems, the German specialist for automotive LiDAR sensor technology, and ZF Friedrichshafen, automotive technology developer, to advance LiDAR technology for use in autonomous driving and other applications. The three companies will partner on joint R&D efforts to ensure that this exciting technology can be quickly and safely adopted by 2021. (Image: ams) ams will provide automotive-grade VCSEL arrays and drivers for solid-state LiDAR illumination...
Continue reading
2019-05-06

IQE Receives Mass Production Order for VCSEL Wafers; II-VI Reports Growing Demands for 5G Communication from China and India

Epiwafer producer IQE and optoelectronic components maker II-VI have report orders and growth driven by demands for sensing and communication technology. UK-based wafer product supplier IQE announced that has received the first mass production order for its recently constructed Newport Mega Foundry from its VCSEL customer. Optical components manufacturer II-VI reported its Fiscal 3Q19 results with strong demands for communications products. IQE reported that it has achieved full product qualification with its existing VCSEL client and is processing furt...
Continue reading
2019-03-22

【OFC 2019】MPI Advanced Solutions for 3D Sensing, Opto-communication and Temperature Testing

OFC 2019 is the largest photonics and optical communication exhibition in the world held annually in the Western United States. Around 700 exhibitors and 15,500 visitors from 75 countries participated in the greatest event in 2019. Various applications continue their technology improvement, bringing unlimited business opportunities for the VCSEL and Photodetector industries. At OFC 2019, as a global leading testing and measurement equipment manufacturer, MPI demonstrated its advanced test solution on both wafer level and packaging level. The company specifically focu...
Continue reading
2019-03-20

Lextar to Present Automotive Mini LED and VCSEL Applications at ALE

Vertically integrated LED manufacturer Lextar will exhibit its latest automotive LED developments including applications of Mini LED RGB module and VCSEL, as well as its cutting-edge automotive LED lighting matrix module at Shanghai International Auto Lamp Exhibition (ALE) from March 21 and 22, 2019. Lextar is showcasing its automotive LED lighting matrix module for the first time. The lighting module consisting 240 LED chips with an average luminance intensity of 15,000cd. With its high brightness, the product can project dynamic graphics and info...
Continue reading
2019-03-06

Lextar Pushes IR and VCSEL Development and Epistar Expects Blue LED Rebound

LED industry players have accelerated their development in niche products including Mini LED and sensing components IR LED and VCSEL. Taiwan-based LED company Lexter began mass producing Mini LED products since the third quarter of 2018. Apart from the initial applications in gaming monitor and notebook, Mini LED backlight has also been adopted in automotive display. The company estimates that Mini LED products will account for five percent or more of its 2019 revenue. Lextar also strengthened red LED business and pushes development in IR LE...
Continue reading
2019-02-27

AIXTRON Announces Solid Growth in 2018 with Demands for MOCVD Systems for ROY LED and VCSEL

German equipment manufacturer AIXTRON posted its 2018 financial results. The company reported increased on-year revenue and gross margin due to continued demand for its MOCVD systems for lasers, red-orange-yellow (ROY) LEDs and specialty LEDs production. According to AIXTRON, its order intake in 2018 grew by 15% YoY to EUR 302.5 million (US$ 344.26 million), which led to a yearly revenue of EUR 268.8 million (US$ 306 million), up by 17% YoY. Adjusted for previous year's sales from discontinued operations, the sales increased by 40% compare...
Continue reading
2019-02-26

ams Introduce New IR Laser for 3D Sensing in Mobile Devices

ams announced the launch of MERANO-Photodiode (PD), an in-frared (IR) laser flood illuminator module which provides the uniform light output needed in mobile 3D sensing applications such as user face recognition. By introducing a VCSEL-based flood illuminator in a slim package, ams aims to ehance the adoption of 3D sensing applications in mainstream mobile phones. Its 2W Merano-PD is suitable for use in the latest technologies for 3D sensing, including ToF and structured light methods. Applications such as face recognition, augmented reality, 3D object scannin...
Continue reading
2019-02-26

II-VI Launches Advanced VCSEL Technology for Ethernet Transmission

Optical components manufacturers II‐VI introduced its 56 Gb/s PAM4 VCSEL arrays for 400 gigabit Ethernet (GbE) short reach transceivers and active optical cables (AOCs) deployed in datacenters. The availability of Ethernet equipment with greater than 12 Tb/s of switching capacity enables hyperscale datacenters to accelerate the migration from 100 to 400 GbE transmission. II-VI’s 8-element VCSEL arrays can be modulated at 56 Gb/s using 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) to achieve a combined 400 Gb/s over short reach multimode links. ...
Continue reading
2019-02-11

【Photonics West 2019】Long Wavelength, Mobile 3D Sensing and LiDAR are the Major Market Momentum

Photonics West 2019 is the largest photonics exhibition in the world held annually in San Francisco. According to the exhibitors at the show, LEDinside learnt that the main technical challenges of VCSEL include power conversion efficiency (PCE), temperature drift, slope efficiency, and light field design. Most of the exhibitors at the show have achieved a power conversion efficiency of 40% for VCSEL products of 1-2W. Among them, Lumentum said it will continue to increase conversion efficiency to 43% in this year. LEDinside was honored to interview Somit Jos...
Continue reading
2018-12-21

Philips to Sell Its VCSEL Group to TRUMPF

German company TRUMPF is going to acquire Philips Photonics, the VCSEL production units of Royal Philips, to expand its product portfolio for 3D sensing and data transmission applications. Back in November Philips Photonics announced a milestone of shipping one billion VCSELs and soon after that the company was said to have increased the capacity of VCSEL production in Ulm, Germany. And now it is selling 100 percent of the operation to TRUMPF. The two companies are planning to finish the operation transaction by the second quarter of 2019 and neith...
Continue reading
2018-12-19

Osram Releases New VCSELs for 3D Sensing Applications

Osram has debuted new VCSELs for applications like 3D scanning and imaging. The new products, PLPVCQ 850 and the PLPVCQ 940, are the latest additions to Osram’s Bidos product family. VCSELs combine the high power density and simple packaging of an IRED with the spectral width and speed of a laser. With the focus on high tech development, Osram Opto Semiconductor has targeted VCSEL application include machine vision or facial recognition, as well as object or architectural scanning that involves mapping an area in 3D and positioning virtual fu...
Continue reading
2018-12-06

Lextar Ships Mini LED and VCSEL and Macroblock Expects Growing Momentum from Mini LED Products

The fourth quarter is usually the off-peak season for the LED market. Industry players including Lextar and Macroblock have reported lukewarm business performance in November and are expecting growth in 2019 with the booming Mini LED market. Lextar posted its monthly revenue of NT$ 823 million (US$ 26.67 million) for November with a decrease of 6.5% MoM and 7.8% YoY. The company has continued its product shipments including Mini LED backlights, Mini LED RGB modules, fine-pitch displays and VCSEL packages. Meanwhile, it also focuses on further tech...
Continue reading
2018-12-05

Apple’s Patent Introduces Technology to Improve LiDAR Sensors

Apple has applied a patent related to optoelectronics devices for improving LiDAR sensors and applications, reported Patently Apple. The report said that Apple noted the demands for applications using 3D sensing and imaging systems and proposed enhanced technologies to integrate LiDAR and VCSEL for advanced 3D image technology. The new patent introduce a method to combine different types of light source and laser array such as diffractive optical elements or VCSEL to develop improved 3D image devices for various applications. (Image: Apple) Patently Ap...
Continue reading
2018-12-03

VPEC Expects Growth Driven by VCSEL Applications

VPED (Visual Photonics Epitaxy Co. Ltd), a Taiwan-based GaAs wafer producer, announced that the company expects growth momentum from the applications of VCSEL and will begin to ship small volumes of 5G products next year. As the smartphone market has passed its peak phase, semiconductor suppliers are looking forward to the applications of IoT and 5G. However, the development of these fields has just begun, bringing limited momentum to the industry. As result, the growth of VPED would still come from VCSEL applications including 3D facial recognition and L...
Continue reading
2018-11-30

Epistar Increase Production of Mini LED and VCSEL in 1Q19

Epistar started its shipment of Mini LED products since the third quarter of 2018 and plans to increase the production by the first quarter of 2019. Its spin-off subsidiary of VCSEL manufacturing is also expanding its 4-inch and 6-inch products. The applications of Epistar’s Mini LED products include backlight for gaming monitors and notebooks and fine-pitch displays. The company expects the market momentum of displays will push the growth of its Mini LED and hope to boost the business by 2020. Epistar Semiconductor, the spin-off subsidiary of Epistar, ...
Continue reading
2018-11-23

Lumileds and Melexis Achieves High-Frequency Operation with IR LEDs

High frequency operation of infrared light sources has been widely applied in automotive, industrial and consumer segments following the trend of 3D sensing. Targeting the growing market of related applications, Lumileds has demonstrated its IR LED products, LUXEON IR Domed and LUXEON IR Compact LEDs to be alternatives to VCSEL technology. Engineering teams from Lumileds and Melexis have developed an evaluation kit that allows LUXEON IR LEDs to be operated at high frequencies up to 40MHz. The intrinsic properties of the LUXEON IR...
Continue reading

Tokushima, Japan - 6 March 2024: Nichia, the world's largest LED manufacturer and inventor of the high-brightness blue and white LED, has started mass production of the new UV-B (308nm) and UV-A (330nm) LEDs in its popular 434 Series packa... READ MORE

New XLamp® S Line LEDs enhance growth, last longer, lower energy costs Horticulture and other forms of agricultural lighting require application-tuned ratios of spectral content, high efficacy and long lifetimes. Whether you are interested... READ MORE