GlobalFoundries and Egis Collaborate on Advanced dToF Sensors for Mobile and IoT Smart Sensing Applications

lobalFoundries announced a partnership with Egis Technology at its annual Technology Summit in Shanghai, China, to deliver direct time-of-flight (dToF) sensors on GF’s 55nm platform for smart mobile, IoT, and automotive applications.

The first-generation front-side illuminated (FSI) single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) device, integrated as a p-cell on GF’s 55nm platform, supports high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) dToF sensing with specified Dark Count Rate and Near-Infrared Photon Detection Probability. The platform enables a fully integrated dToF system-on-chip (SoC), incorporating high-voltage bias, VCSEL driver, microcontroller unit (MCU), and ranging core on a single, smaller chip. Combined with GF’s 55nm IP portfolio, the solution supports the design of application-optimized sensors for size, weight, power, and cost considerations.

Egis, a display fingerprint sensor provider, partnered with GF in 2022 to enter the 3D sensor market. The FSI SPAD technology targets applications such as laser-assisted autofocus for smart mobile devices, laptops, and projectors, presence detection for power-saving features in smart appliances and buildings, and collision avoidance in robots and drones.

“GF is committed to enabling the future of smart sensing t...