Silicon photonics maker SiLC Technologies Inc. this week announced that Cloud Light Technology Ltd. will deliver volume manufacturing of its Eyeonic Vision sensors.
Monrovia, Calif.-based SiLC was founded in 2018 by a team with more than 25 years of experience in photonics, product development, and manufacturing. The startup said it uses a proprietary, silicon-based semiconductor fabrication process to manufacture its chips at scale.
Announced in December 2021, SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision sensor is a frequency-modulated continuous wave radar (FMCW) lidar transceiver. At the nexus of the Eyeonic Vision Sensor is SiLC's silicon photonic chip, which the company said integrates FMCW lidar functionality into a single, tiny chip.
SiLC claimed that its chip is the only system ready to integrate for manufacturers building the next generation of autonomous vehicles, security systems, and industrial robots.
Hong Kong, China-based Cloud Light Technology makes advanced optical modules for automotive and data center interconnect applications.
SiLC expects sample shipments this year
SiLC said Cloud Light’s proven capabilities in optical module design, high-volume precision assembly, testing, and reliability engineering complement and complete SiLC’s manufacturing ecosystem, which includes its proprietary chip-fabrication process with another major ecosystem partner in Asia. Early sample shipments and the transition to volume production are expected this year.
“To integrate all of the functionalities needed for a coherent lidar into a single photonic chip is a complex art that takes many years to master,” said Dr. Mehdi Asghari, SiLC’s CEO and founder. “The combination of precision optical assembly and automotive capabilities make Cloud Light an ideal partner for manufacturing our vision sensors.”
“All modules that we ship to customers this year will be made by SiLC’s mature manufacturing ecosystem and led by Cloud Light,” Asjgari added.
“Cloud Light provides design capabilities and manufacturing excellence for advanced optical modules,” noted Dr. Dennis Tong, founder and CEO of Cloud Light. “Our automated assembly and test platform for silicon photonics enables SiLC to ramp up volume and scale its products to the automotive industry and beyond.”
“We’re excited to work with the world’s leading 4D lidar chip supplier,” he stated. “Together, we offer a very unique value proposition to the market.”
Article topics
Email Sign Up
Related Lidar News
