STMicroelectronics released its third-generation laser-ranging sensor based on its industry-leading FlightSense technology, which will be shown at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Feb 27–March 2. The VL53L1 sensor benefits from new patented silicon- and module-level architectures, adding for the first time, optical lenses to the module.
 
This combination boosts core performance while introducing many new features including multi-target detection, cover-glass crosstalk immunity at long distance, and programmable multi-zone scanning. These advances deliver new levels of sensor performance to robotics, user detection, drones, IoT, and wearable applications.
 
“ST has already shipped hundreds of millions of Time-of-Flight sensors, which have been designed by OEMs into over 70 smartphone models as well as many other consumer devices,” said Eric Aussedat, GM of ST’s Imaging Division. “The third-generation FlightSense product uses its improved performance to support new applications, including human-presence detection, while continuing to improve sensor performance for existing use cases.”
 
For autofocus applications in smartphones, the sensor detects objects twice as fast as earlier-generation devices. Moreover, the VL53L1 has doubled the maximum ranging distance of sensors to beyond 4.5 meters, ensuring it is well matched to the hyper-focal distance of widely used 21-megapixel camera optics.