The Direct Time-of-Flight (DTOF) technology is a major breakthrough in sensors, showing great importance and potential in a variety of fields such as consumer electronics, automotive applications, and industrial automation.

Unlike iToF (Indirect Time-of-Flight), DTOF directly measures the travel time of a single photon from transmission to reception. This eliminates the need for complex phase calculations, significantly enhancing accuracy and interference resistance.

Maxic Technology unveiled MT3801, a fully integrated and precise DTOF sensor based on single-photon ToF technology. It offers precise distance measurement up to a range of 5m and incorporates the following components:

·SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode)

·Algorithm processing module

·Cortex M0 Core

·940nm VCSEL

·Optical filter

The sensor can be widely used in smartphones/pads, robotic vacuum cleaner, hair dryers, faucets, smart toilets, projectors, drones and other fields.

Features

·Integrates IR VCSEL emitter, optical filter, and receiving process modules in OLGA12 package

·Built-in M0 core for customizable algorithms development and optimization

·Precise ToF measurement: 2mm~5m distance measurement with less than 4% precision

·Integrates temperature sensor for real-time temperature compensation, ensuring accuracy under varying temperature conditions

·Supports 3.3V/1.8V/1.2V interfaces for broad compatibility

·Excellent EMI performance and sunlight resistance capability

MT3801 Block Diagram

Technical Highlights

• Fully Integrated Design

To achieve a higher integration in smaller package, MT3801 adopts a fully integrated system level packaging module design that integrates transmitter and receiver. It also integrates SPAD, algorithm processing module, M0 core, 940nm VCSEL, and optical filter, all held in 4.4mm x 2.4mm x 1.0mm OLGA12 package. This innovative design simplifies product structure, enhances EMI performance and sunlight resistance, and supports precise tuning for various applications.

3D schematic illustration of the robotic vacuum cleaner

• Low Power Consumption

MT3801 supports 3.3V, 1.8V, and 1.2V interfaces, making it compatible with 1.2V low-power new platform.

It features ultra-low power consumption:

<10μA@standby mode, <20mA@ranging mode, and <18μA@operating mode, meeting the requirements of various low-power applications.

• High Precision

The MT3801’s key advantage is its ability to directly measure single-photon flight time, enabling 2mm to 5m distance measurement with less than 4% precision and up to 120FPS frame rate. Additionally, the chip integrates a temperature sensor with real-time temperature compensation, ensuring precise detection despite temperature fluctuations. Its performance parameters fully meet the demands for real-time accuracy in the smart sensing field.

Smartphone Application Diagram

The test results provided are based on laboratory conditions. Actual product performance may vary due to application environment and batch differences. Maxic reserves the right for final interpretation.