ams and SmartSens are to jointly work on sensor technology, with initial focus on 3D Near Infrared (NIR) sensors for facial recognition and applications requiring a high Quantum Efficiency (QE) in the NIR range (2D and 3D). This is expected to meet the increasing demand for 3D sensing solutions in mobile devices,

“The collaboration with SmartSens in image sensors brings customers the benefit of a faster time to market for 3D Active Stereo Vision and Structured Light applications in mobile phones and other devices including IoT applications, based on ams’s 3D technology and core IP on Voltage-Domain Global Shutter. The collaboration will also help accelerate time to market for exciting new automotive applications such as in-cabin 2D and 3D sensing,” said Stéphane Curral, Executive Vice President for the Division Image Sensor Solutions at ams.

The two companies will develop a 3D ASV reference design to support the launch of a 1.3MP Stacked BSI Global Shutter Image Sensor with state of the art QE up to 40% at 940nm. The reference design will enable high performance depth maps for payment, face recognition and AR/VR applications at a highly competitive total system cost.