The MAX40026 high-speed comparator and the MAX40660/MAX40661 high-bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers add 32 channels to a lidar module to enable higher-speed autonomous driving systems. Compared to the closest competitive solution, the comparator and amplifier combination allow 15km per hour (10miles per hour) faster autonomous driving and 128 channels, compared with 96, in the same size lidar module.

Lidar sensors in a vehicle’s self-driving system can accurately measure the distance of objects. The increased bandwidth and available channels provide optical receiver designers with higher-resolution images.

The system size of the MAX40026 high-speed comparator plus the MAX40660/1 transimpedance amplifiers is 5mm² smaller than the closest competing solution, says the company and allows developers to fit far more channels into space-constrained vehicle platforms. The ICs meet the stringent safety requirements of the automotive industry; they are AEC-Q100 qualified, and have enhanced electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance and failure modes, and effects and diagnostic analysis (FMEDA) to support ISO 26262 certification at the system level.

The MAX40026 TDFN package size measures 4mm² and the MAX40660/1 TDFN package measures 9mm². The amplifiers support what is believed to be the industry’s highest bandwidth of 490MHz for MAX40660 and 2.1pA/√Hz input-referred noise density to support higher accuracy distance measurement.

The 10 ps propagation delay dispersion of the MAX40026 contributes to accurate detection of both fixed and moving objects.

The MAX40660/1 reduces current consumption by more than 80% in low power mode.

The ICs are available now, and are supported by evaluation kits.