横跨多重电子应用领域、全球领先的半导体供应商意法半导体(STMicroelectronics，简称ST)发布了采用其市场领先的FlightSense技术的第三代激光测距传感器VL53L1。新产品基于新的硅专利技术和模块级架构，首次在模块上引入光学镜头。镜头的加入可提升传感器内核性能，同时开启许多新功能，包括多物体检测、远距离玻璃盖板串扰抗噪和可编程多区扫描。这些先进特性将机器人、用户检测、无人机、物联网、穿戴设备等传感器性能提高到新的水平。

新传感器模块在4.9 x 2.5 x 1.56mm封装内集成一个新的镜头系统和940nm VCSEL[1]不可见光源、处理器内核和 SPAD[2]光子检测器。新增的光学镜头系统可提升光子检测率，从而提升模块的测距性能。内部微控制器负责管理全部测距功能，运行创新的数字算法，最大限度降低主处理器开销和系统功耗，使移动设备的电池续航能力得到最大限度提升。

意法半导体影像产品部总经理Eric Aussedat表示：“ST飞行时间测距传感器出货量已达到数亿颗，被用于70余款智能手机和消费电子设备。性能更高的第三代FlightSense支持很多新应用，包括人存在检测，同时提高了现有应用的传感器性能。”

新产品VL53L1完成一次测量操作只需5ms[3]，适用于高速测距应用设备。关于智能手机自动对焦，新传感器检测速度比一代产品提高一倍。此外，VL53L1将传感器最大测量距离也提高一倍，达到4.5米，与广泛使用的2100万像素镜头的超焦距非常匹配。

创新的高性能设计架构可侦测同一个场景内存在的多个目标，还让设备厂商能够把SPAD传感器阵列再细分成数个子区。这些小感测区客户应用提供双摄像头立体视觉计算以及简单深度图应用所需的空间测距信息。

与其它测距传感器技术相比，意法半导体的新专利算法和直接飞行时间架构能够耐受更远距离的串扰，让VL53L1完全兼容更多的玻璃盖板材料和设计样式。

为方便用户快速集成，基于I2C的VL53L1模块配备一整套软件驱动器和技术文档。

VL53L1产品即日上市。

激光测距传感器VL53L1介绍

The VL53L1 is a state-of-art Time-of-Flight (ToF) laser-ranging miniature sensor, enhancing the ST FlightSenseTM product family. Housed in a miniature and reflowable package, it integrates a SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diodes) array, physical infrared filters and optics to achieve the best ranging performance in various ambient lighting conditions, with range of cover glass options.Unlike conventional IR sensors, VL53L1 uses ST’s latest generation direct ToF technology which allows absolute distance measurement whatever the target color and reflectance. It provides accurate ranging up to 4m and can work at fast speed (60Hz), which makes it the fastest miniature ToF sensor on the market.With patented algorithms and ingenious module construction, VL53L1 is also able to detect different objects within the Field-of-View with depth information (histogram) at 60Hz.Scene browsing and multi-zone detection is now possible with VL53L1, thanks to software customizable detection array for quicker “touch-to-focus” or mini depth-map use cases.

Key Features

Fully integrated miniature module

Emitter: 940nm invisible laser (VCSEL) and its analog driver

Receiving array with integrated lens

Low-power micro-controller running advanced digital firmware

Size: 4.9 x 2.5 x 1.56mm

Fast, accurate distance ranging

400cm+ detection with full FoV

60Hz ranging capable up to 300cm

Immune to coverglass cross-talk and fingerprint smudge at long distance with patented algorithms (direct ToF)

Multi-object detection capable

Multi-zone scanning with selectable array (2x2, 3x3, 4x4, or defined by user through software)

Easy integration

Single reflowable component

Single power supply 2v8

Works with many types of cover glasses materials

I²C interface (up to 1MHz)

Xshutdown (Reset) and interrupt GPIO

Full set of Software driver (Linux and Android compatible) for turnkey ranging

关于意法半导体公司

意法半导体（ST）集团于1988年6月成立，是由意大利的SGS微电子公司和法国Thomson半导体公司合并而成。1998年5月，SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics将公司名称改为意法半导体有限公司。意法半导体是世界最大的半导体公司之一，2006年全年收入98.5亿美元，2007年前半年公司收入46.9亿美元。意法公司销售收入在半导体工业第七大高速增长市场之间分布均衡（五大市场占2007年销售收入的百分比）：通信（35%），消费（17%），计算机（16%），汽车（16%），工业（16%）。据最新的工业统计数据，意法半导体(STMicroelectronics)是全球第五大半导体厂商，在很多市场居世界领先水平。例如，意法半导体是世界第一大专用模拟芯片和电源转换芯片制造商，世界第一大工业半导体和机顶盒芯片供应商，而且在分立器件、手机相机模块和车用集成电路领域居世界前列。

意法半导体产品阵容

以多媒体应用一体化和电源解决方案的市场领导者为目标，意法半导体拥有世界上最强大的产品阵容，既有知识产权含量较高的专用产品，也有多领域的创新产品，例如分立器件、高性能微控制器、安全型智能卡芯片、微机电系统（MEMS）器件。

在移动多媒体、机顶盒和计算机外设等要求严格的应用领域，意法半导体是利用平台式设计方法开发复杂IC的开拓者，并不断对这种设计方法进行改进。意法半导体拥有比例均衡的产品组合，能够满足所有微电子用户的需求。全球战略客户的系统级芯片(SoC)项目均指定意法半导体为首选合作伙伴，同时公司还为本地企业提供全程支持,以满足本地客户对通用器件和解决方案的需求。

意法半导体已经公布了与英特尔和Francisco Partners合资成立一个独立的半导体公司的合作意向，名为Numonyx的新公司将主要提供消费电子和工业设备用非易失存储器解决方案。

意法半导体标准产品

存储器

意法半导体为领先应用提供了业内最广泛的存储解决方案。意法半导体是非易失性存储器的主要供应商，包括：NOR和NAND 闪存。

闪存组合了高密度及电可擦除性。它们普遍应用于各种数字应用中，如手机、数码相机、数字电视、机顶盒、汽车引擎控制等，这些应用需要在系统可编程能力，并需要即使在没有电源的情况下也要保留数据。

作为全球三大NOR闪存供应商之一，意法半导体提供了两种主要的闪存类型：NOR及NAND。NOR闪存架构提供快速读取性能，是在手机和其他电子器件中进行代码存储与直接片上执行的理想之选。然而，对于高密度数据存储，NAND闪存较高的密度与编程吞吐量使其成为首选。

意法半导体的非易失性存储器系列还包括EPROM(Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)、EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)、串行闪存及非易失性RAM(Random Access Memory)。

其他意法半导体的存储器产品还包含多种RFID IC。跟所有标准器件一样，成本与客户服务是供应商之间的主要差异，而意法半导体正在全力优化这两个方面。

对于既需要快速代码读取又需要高密度的应用（如现今的多功能手机），意法半导体同样提供了先进的多芯片解决方案，在单芯片封装内组合了不同类型的存储器。

智能电源

意法半导体的电源器件满足了对于整合了信号处理部件（模拟和/或数字）和电动促动器的功率解决方案不断增长的需求。此设计能力不仅提供了独有的经济优势，同时还提供了稳定性、电磁性能和降低空音与重量等方面的提高。智能电源作为一个专业术语，包括了多种横向及纵向的技术，这些技术在在汽车市场尤其起到至关重要的作用。

VIPower(垂直智能电源)是众多专利智能电源技术的总称，这些技术中，分立的电源结构现模拟和数字控制及诊断电流相结合，从而使器件可以将分立技术的强劲性与电流的控制与诊断功能相结合。意法半导体的BCD（双极-CMOS-DMOS）生产技术结合了双极、CMOS和DMOS工艺，允许集成越来越多的系统基本功能，如电压稳压器、通信接口以及一个单独元件中的多负载驱动器。

标准器件

意法半导体标准线性器件与逻辑IC由广泛的知名标准器件及针对高度集成、空间有限的应用创新的专用器件组成。产品范围包括逻辑功能、接口、运算放大器、比较器、低功耗音频放大器、通信电路（高速模拟、红外线与RF）、功率管理器件、稳压器与参考电路、微处理器复位与监视器、模拟与数字开关、功率开关、VFD驱动器及高亮度LED驱动器。

分立器件

意法半导体是世界领先的分立功率器件供应商之一，产品范围包含MOSFET (包括运用创新的MDmeshTM第二代技术的器件)、双极晶体管、IGBT、肖特基与超快速恢复双极工艺二极管、三端双向可控硅开关及保护器件。此外，意法半导体的专利IPAD（集成有源和无源器件）技术，允许在单个芯片中整合多个有源和无源元件

RF

意法半导体的RF产品包括可以用于ISM（工业科学和医疗），手机基站之类的应用中的功率RF晶体管。

实时时钟

意法半导体提供了完整的低功耗实时时钟（RTC）产品线，从输入级产品到具有微处理器监视功能、SRAM、非易失性特性与通用减少检测管教实现的高级数据保护的高端RTC。嵌入式软件校准每个月的精度误差仅为2秒。

Who we are

ST is a global semiconductor company with net revenues of US$ 6.97 billion in 2016.

Offering one of the industry’s broadest product portfolios, ST serves customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions for Smart Driving and the Internet of Things. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

Among the world’s largest semiconductor companies

A leading Integrated Device Manufacturer serving all electronics segments          

A leading technology innovator (approximately 7,500 people working in R&D, ~16,000 owned patents in ~9,500 patent families and ~500 new patent filings in 2016)

Delivering solutions that are key to Smart Driving and the Internet of Things

Rich and diversified  portfolio (discrete and standard commodity components, ASICs, full custom devices and semi-custom devices, and  Application-Specific Standard Products)      

A pioneer and visionary leader in sustainability           

Corporate Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

President and CEO: Carlo Bozotti

2016 revenue: $6.97 billion

Approximately 43,500 employees

Over 75 sales & marketing offices in 35 countries

11 main manufacturing sites

Public since 1994 - shares traded on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: STM), Euronext Paris, and Borsa Italiana

Created as SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics in June 1987, from merger of SGS Microelettronica (Italy) and Thomson Semiconducteurs (France) Renamed STMicroelectronics in May 1998

Product Portfolio

ST’s products are found everywhere today, and together with our customers, we are enabling smarter driving and smarter homes, factories, and cities, along with the next generation of mobile and Internet of Things devices.

Smart Driving: safer, greener, more connected

It is estimated that 80% of all innovations in the automotive industry today are directly or indirectly enabled by electronics, which means a constant increase in the semiconductor content per car year after year. ST’s Smart Driving products and solutions are making driving safer, greener and more connected through the fusion of several of our technologies.

Driving is safer thanks to our Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) products – vision, radar, imaging and sensors, as well as our Adaptive Lighting Systems and User Display Technologies. Driving is greener with our energy-management processors (EMU, ECU), high-efficiency smart power electronics at the heart of all automotive subsystems, Silicon Carbide devices for electric cars, and more. And vehicles are more connected using our car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure (V2X) connectivity solutions, infotainment system and telematics processors, GNSS positioning technologies, tuners, amplifiers and sensors.

The Internet of Things: solutions for smarter personal devices, homes, cities, and factories

Due to the fragmented nature of the Internet of Things, the markets we serve span our entire customer base – from our largest customers to the tens of thousands of smaller and equally important customers we serve through our distribution partners and mass-market initiatives.

Our daily lives as individuals benefit from the “Smart Things” we carry and use extensively. ST is a leading supplier of many of the key technologies going into the next generations of personal consumer devices: Sensors and Actuators, Microcontrollers for low and ultra-low power processing, Secure solutions, Power and Analog components, and RF & Connectivity products. ST makes developing prototypes fast and affordable with a range of development ecosystems, including its STM32 Open Development Environment.

ST addresses the rise of the smart home and smart city systems through their core: energy consumption and management systems, or the future smart grids and their applications. Its solutions address the critical functions: combo chips inside the smart meters that help consumers and utilities track and balance electricity, water, and gas consumption and billing; more intelligent street lighting that senses its environment and dims or switches off to adjust to lighting conditions and municipal needs; and sensors that measure traffic flow and can re-route around obstructions.

ST also provides technologies that enable manufacturing and other industrial sectors to achieve better efficiency, flexibility, and safety through automation and robotics – what we call Smart Industry. The current shift, often labelled the “fourth industrial revolution” is making industrial systems smarter with the combined application of a broad range of products, including Microcontrollers, Sensors and Actuators, Motor Control, Signal Conditioning, Industrial Communication Solutions, Secure solutions, Power Supplies, Protection Devices, Wireless Modules, and Display and LED Controllers.

Research & Development and Manufacturing

To keep its technology edge, ST has maintained an unwavering commitment to R&D from the beginning with approximately 7,500 people working in R&D and product design and spent about 19% of its revenue in R&D in 2016. Among the industry’s most innovative companies, ST owns and continuously refreshes a substantial patent library (~16,000 owned patents in ~9,500 patent families and ~500 new patent filings in 2016).

The Company draws on a rich pool of chip fabrication technologies, including advanced FD-SOI (Fully Depleted Silicon-on-Insulator) CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), differentiated Imaging technologies, RF-SOI (RF Silicon-On-Insulator), Bi-CMOS, BCD (Bipolar, CMOS, DMOS), Silicon Carbide and MEMS technologies.

ST believes in the benefits of owning manufacturing facilities and operating them in close proximity with its R&D operations. ST has a worldwide network of front-end (wafer fabrication) and back-end (assembly and test and packaging) plants. ST’s principal wafer fabs are located in Agrate Brianza and Catania (Italy), Crolles, Rousset, and Tours (France), and in Singapore. These are complemented by assembly-and-test facilities located in China, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, the Philippines, and Singapore.

Sustainability

Sustainability has been a guiding principle for STMicroelectronics for more than 20 years and we have been a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) since 2000. As a member of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) we participate in the collective efforts of the industry to find solutions to our biggest sustainability challenges, such as conflict minerals, environmental protection, social issues, health and safety. Our values are set out in our Company’s Code of Conduct and our Sustainability Strategy ensures that our programs are aligned with our business priorities and stakeholders' expectations. Today, sustainability is integrated throughout our entire business, allowing us to maximize opportunities in areas such as sustainable technology and innovation, as well as helping us to predict and mitigate risks in our operations and business performance.

Each year we publish a Sustainability Report, which delivers a comprehensive view of our programs and performance to all our stakeholders.