LeddarTech Inc. and Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) have announced a partnership agreement to jointly develop and supply light detection and ranging (LIDAR) ICs, a key sensor for self-driving vehicles. The LeddarCore LCA2 IC is a receiver that will enable high performance and low cost LIDARs, required for the mass market adoption of autonomous vehicles.
According to a release issued by the companies, IDT will "leverage its advanced expertise for component requirements analysis, architecture, design, development, characterization, qualification and transfer to manufacturing of the LCA2." The IC design will incorporate Leddar's patented signal acquisition and advanced processing algorithms to generate cleaner digital signals and lower detection thresholds compared to other LIDAR methods. The LCA2 will achieve higher ranges and sensitivity at much lower cost, supporting the sub-$100 target for 2D and 3D flash LIDARs.
Functional LIDAR units demonstrating the capabilities of the LCA2 design were shown at CES in January. Engineering samples of the LCA2 ICs are planned in early 2018, with volume availability planned for the end of 2018.
Solid-state LIDARs using the LeddarCore ICs can be customized for autonomous driving or for the range of advanced driving assistance applications, such as forward collision warning, advance emergency braking, automated cruise control and parking assist. The small size of these LIDAR systems allows integration into the front grill, bumpers, head lights and tail lights.
LeddarTech CEO Charles Boulanger said, "This partnership brings together two driving forces, combining LeddarTech's highly specialized know-how in solid-state LIDARs with IDT's world-class expertise in the development of highly integrated automotive-grade ICs. IDT's strong track record and extensive relationships within the automotive ecosystem make it a partner of choice for the LCA2 project."
Frantz Saintellemy, vice president of IDT's automotive and industrial division, said, "With the development of the LeddarCore ICs, LeddarTech is positioning itself as the most credible player to enable the rapid integration of low cost, high performance LIDARs into mass market vehicles in the shortest possible time frame."