18 February 2014

GigOptix launches TIA receivers enabling high-resolution natural user interfaces for consumer electronics

GigOptix Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (a fabless supplier of analog semiconductor and optical communications components for fiber-optic and wireless networks) has launched a family of transimpedance amplifier (TIA) products to address high-growth natural user interfaces and high-resolution 3D scanning markets.

“The new generation of high-speed gesture recognition, motion sensing, and natural user interface in 3D camera, interactive TVs, game consoles and a variety of other emerging applications are creating demand for the deployment of high-depth-resolution optical links in several high-volume markets,” says Dr Raluca Dinu, VP & general manager of the High-Speed Communications division. “For example, for the natural user interface applications, there are many kinds of gesture systems competing in the market right now, with time-of-flight systems providing a very good alternative for high-accuracy applications,” he adds. “GigOptix’s consumer TIAs are designed specifically to address time-of-flight applications and flexible architecture that allow a rapid, yet robust, customization designs. From changing channels and adjusting volume on interactive TVs with the wave of a hand, to full-body 3D depth-sensing cameras for a fully immersive gaming and personalized shopping experiences, GigOptix’s TIAs provide high sensitivity and high signal-to-noise for increased accuracy and range.”

In January, market research firm NPD DisplaySearch reported in its ‘Gesture Sensing Control for Smart Devices Report’ that gesture sensing solutions for smart device shipments would grow from less than 250 million units in 2014 to more than 1.8 billion units in 2018. Year-on-year shipment growth is projected to be over 40% in the 2015-2018 timeframe. 3D gesture-sensing technologies in connected smart devices identified in the report include mobile devices, smart TVs, game consoles, and PCs.

GigOptix’s consumer TIA platform can be optimized for the following applications: high-resolution digital 3D scanning, hands-free automotive infotainment and range systems, immersive gaming and augmented reality, interactive TVs, desktop PCs, notebooks, gaming consoles, smartphones, tablets, and motion tracking and gesture control.

Global automotive proximity and gesture recognition of infotainment systems are estimated to grow from about 0.7 million units in 2013 to more to than 38 million units in 2023, according to IHS Inc’s report ‘Emerging Technologies: New Human-Machine Interface Trends’. A few automotive makers have already sold in 2012 cars with basic proximity recognition systems in them, and the report predicts that in 2017 the first high-resolution systems will appear. It further estimates that nearly 40% of all new automobiles sold worldwide in 2023 will come with some degree of proximity or gesture recognition.

“Many high-resolution time-of-flight systems are fundamentally limited by the performance of key building blocks, in particular the TIA performance,” notes Dinu. “GigOptix’s TIA family builds on years of experience in designing TIAs for active optical cables (AOCs) and pluggables for datacom markets and delivering millions of such devices. This deep experience enables us to design and ship extremely high-quality amplifiers to the emerging consumer electronics market,” he claims. “We look forward to working with customers to enable customization of TIA devices for the next generation of innovative natural user interface systems.”

Tags: GigOptix TIAs

Visit: www.gigoptix.com