1. What Is LiDAR?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a sensing technology that measures the distance to objects by emitting laser pulses and capturing the reflected light. The combination of emission direction and time‑of‑flight enables the generation of a high‑resolution 3D point cloud, which is widely used in ADAS and autonomous driving systems. As vehicle automation advances, the adoption of LiDAR is expected to grow steadily.
| Optical element | Optical axis varying method | Type | Scanning |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD, PD | Mechanical method | Rotation by a motor | A number of LDs and PDs are rotated by a motor to scan the whole area. |
| Polygon mirror | Respective optical axes of a single LD and a single PD are varied by a polygon mirror in scanning. | ||
| Non-mechanical method (solid-state) | MEMS mirror | Respective optical axes of a single LD and a single PD are varied by a MEMS mirror in scanning. | |
| Phased array | Respective optical axes of a single LD and a single PD are varied by a waveguide in scanning. | ||
| Flash | Light from a light source, such as an LED, is emitted over a wide area, and reflected light is collectively scanned by an array of PDs. |
2. How LiDAR Measures Distance and Recognizes Objects
Distance Measurement
- A laser diode emits a pulse toward an object.
- A photodiode receives the reflected light.
- The distance is determined from the time between emission and reception.
Object Recognition
By repeatedly scanning in multiple directions, LiDAR creates a point cloud.
This data is used to:
- Identify obstacles
- Build dynamic 3D maps
- Estimate and correct the vehicle’s position in real time
3. Market Trends and Technical Requirements
As autonomous driving levels increase, LiDAR systems must meet three key requirements:
| Requirement | Reason |
|---|---|
| Higher power | Higher‑resolution sensing increases CPU load and power demands. |
| Faster communication | High‑frequency and high‑speed data transfer is essential to process large point clouds. |
| Smaller size & lighter weight | Vehicles incorporate more sensors, requiring miniaturized components. |
4. LiDAR System Overview
A LiDAR unit typically consists of:
- Laser Diode (LD): Emits high‑speed laser pulses
- Photodiode (PD): Converts received light into electrical signals
- Amplifier for the PD output
- FPGA: Handles high‑speed data processing
- MCU: Controls system operation
- Transceiver: CAN/Ethernet communication
- DDR & Flash Memory
- DC/DC Converters: Provide necessary voltage rails
5. Key Circuits and Recommended Components
5‑1. DC/DC Converter Circuit
High‑performance LiDAR requires stable, low‑noise power.
Recommended Components
| Function | Component | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Noise filtering & smoothing | Conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitor | Low ESR, high ripple tolerance, excellent high‑frequency behavior |
| Voltage conversion | Automotive power inductor | High current capability, low loss, low ACR |
| Voltage measurement | High‑precision chip resistor | Low resistance tolerance, low TCR for accurate control |
5‑2. Transceiver Interface (CAN / Ethernet)
Because communication lines are exposed to ESD, protection devices are critical.
Recommended Components
Key points:
- Chip varistors cover a wide capacitance range (8–250 pF) for low → high‑speed communication
- ESD suppressors (0.1 pF) are optimal for high‑speed interfaces
5‑3. Photodiode Light‑Receiving Circuit
Reflected laser light is weak and must be amplified with high precision.
Recommended Components
- High‑precision chip resistor → Sets amplifier gain
- NTC thermistor → Temperature compensation
Why they matter:
- Low‑TCR thin‑film resistors ensure stable gain
- High‑reliability thermistors maintain accurate sensing across temperatures
5‑4. Laser Diode Irradiation Circuit
A GaN FET is typically used to deliver high‑speed, high‑power pulses.
Recommended Components
Key advantage:
- Original resistance pattern and electrode design support high‑power switching while enabling device miniaturization
6. Conclusion
As autonomous vehicles adopt more LiDAR units, the demand for electronic components offering:
- Low loss
- High current capability
- High‑frequency performance
- Compact size & high reliability
will continue to grow. Panasonic Industry offers a broad portfolio—including hybrid capacitors, automotive inductors, high‑precision resistors, varistors, ESD suppressors, and thermistors—that aligns well with these requirements.
| Component | Feature | Large current | Low loss | High frequency | Small size | High precision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conductive polymer hybrid aluminum electrolytic capacitor | Low ESR High reliability |
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| Automotive power inductor | Large current, low loss High reliability |
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| High precision, high resistance to heat | |
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| Chip varistor | Small and light | |
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| ESD suppressor | Low capacitance Ultrafast data I/F |
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| NTC thermistor (chip type) | Small, high resistance to heat | |
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