“It is designed to detect subtle spatial differences and distinguish closely spaced or slightly varied objects. [It] can tell whether an espresso cup or a travel mug is placed under a coffee machine,” according to the company, which added: “Because it operates without a camera, it supports privacy-sensitive applications.”
Dubbed TMF8829, it includes pair of infra-red lasers, beam spreading optics, receiving optics, a sensing array and signal processing – all inside a module measuring 5.7 x 2.9 x 1.5mm.
Processing includes histogramming and time-to-digital conversion, supported by two on-board Arm Cortex-M0+ cores.
Confidence values, signal amplitude and ambient light level are reported alongside distances, and multiple objects
per depth point are handled simultaneously without degrading accuracy. Raw data is also streamed.
0.25mm precision is claimed “sensitive enough to detect subtle movements like a finger swipe”, said Osram. “Instead of relying on a single signal, the sensor builds a profile of returning light pulses to identify the most accurate distance point, ensuring stable performance even with smudged cover glass. Full histogram output supports AI systems in extracting hidden patterns or additional information from the raw signal.”
The lasers are VCSELs (vertical cavity surface emitting lasers), and the sensors are SPADs (single-photon avalanche diodes) lensed in such a way to also support 8×8, 16×16 and 32×32 operation.
The host interface is 1.2V, 1.8V and 3V compliant (dedicated I/O supply pad) SPI or I2C-compatible I3C, and operation is across -40 to +85ºC.
With the company’s software running, the device is designed to comply with Class 1 laser safety limits, including single faults, to IEC/EN 60825-1:2014, EN 60825-1:2014+A11:2021 and EN 50689:2021 consumer laser product.
Introduction is scheduled for Q4 this year.
As well as the coffee cup example, the company suggests use for macro photography in phones, RGB depth fusion for hybrid cameras for augmented reality virtual object placement, logistic robot package measurement, people counting, presence detection and collision avoidance.
Find the TMF8829 time-of-flight sensor on this Osram web page.
Some of the above characteristics may be simplifications and not be available simultaneously – the full data sheet is not publicly available for fact-checking.
At Embedded World this year, Onsemi announced a 1.2Mpixel time-of-flight matrix sensor with triggering for external lasers
