VCSEL technology in brief

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) are semiconductor laser devices widely recognised for emitting light perpendicular to the surface and for their high efficiency. Operation involves current injection, which causes electrons and holes to recombine in the active region and generate photons. Inside the laser these photons are reflected and amplified many times before a highly coherent laser beam is emitted through the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR).

Core advantages of VCSEL

VCSEL technology offers broad application prospects across many fields thanks to high efficiency, small size, excellent beam quality and wavelength stability.

1. Outstanding efficiency: VCSELs convert electrical energy into laser light very efficiently, which matters in power-sensitive applications.

2. Small size: the compact design is easy to integrate into all kinds of equipment and particularly suits space-constrained automotive applications.

3. Excellent beam quality: the emitted beam is of high quality, suiting applications such as lidar that require precise control.

4. Good wavelength stability: VCSELs maintain wavelength stability under varying operating conditions, which is essential for consistent system performance.

Automotive applications of VCSEL

VCSEL applications in the automotive industry cover autonomous driving technology, optical communication and sensors.

Autonomous driving

1. Lidar systems: VCSELs act as the light source, emitting and receiving laser pulses to measure the environment precisely.

2. Optical communication: VCSELs can be used for in-vehicle optical communication, enabling high speed data transmission.

3. Sensors: VCSELs in speed and distance sensors improve vehicle perception.

Safety systems

1. Overvoltage protection: VCSELs can provide overvoltage protection in circuits, preventing excessive voltage from damaging electronic components.

2. Voltage regulation: in the breakdown state a VCSEL maintains a stable current output and can be used as a voltage regulating element.

Why AEC-Q102 certification matters

AEC-Q102 is the test standard for optoelectronic devices issued by the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) and is essential for VCSEL applications in the automotive industry.

1. Performance stability. AEC-Q102 certification confirms that VCSEL performance remains stable in automotive applications, which is essential for accurate lidar measurement in autonomous driving and ADAS.

2. Environmental suitability. Certification confirms that VCSELs can withstand the climates vehicles operate in, including extreme temperature and humidity, which is essential for lidar reliability and accuracy in different environments.

3. Long term reliability. AEC-Q102 qualified VCSELs maintain stable performance over a vehicle service life of 15 years or more, reducing repair and replacement costs caused by device failure.

4. Supply chain acceptance. AEC-Q102 qualified VCSELs are more readily accepted by vehicle makers and suppliers, helping manufacturers enter the automotive supply chain and expand market share.

5. Market competitiveness. Certification raises market recognition of VCSELs, helping manufacturers build their brand and strengthen competitiveness in the automotive electronics market.

6. Lower long term cost. AEC-Q102 certification helps identify and resolve potential problems during product development, reducing later repair, recall and replacement costs and thereby lowering the vehicle maker's long term cost.

AEC-Q102 test flow and NTEK capability

About NTEK

NTEK Group was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Shenzhen. The group provides quality research and technical services covering R&D verification, inspection and testing, failure analysis, simulation and market access for intelligent connected vehicles, electronic communications and new energy.

NTEK has extensive experience in automotive-grade electronic certification and has helped more than 100 companies pass AEC-Q series certification. Driven by the need of vehicle makers to localise automotive-grade components and supported by the domestic semiconductor industry, NTEK provides comprehensive testing and certification services, applying AEC-Q automotive standards to control the safety and quality of automotive components, supporting the growth of domestic automotive-grade components and adding new momentum to the intelligent vehicle safety system.