Osram Opto Semiconductors of Regensburg, Germany added six new automotive IREDs in an expansion of its Oslon Black family for the infrared range. The company intends the 850 nm IR LEDs for exterior applications including lane detection, pedestrian protection, pre-field recognition, and night vision. The new 940 nm versions are suitable primarily for interior automotive applications such as seat occupancy detection, driver monitoring, and gesture recognition. The various wavelengths and lenses allow these products to cover a wide range of customer demands, and they can operate at up to 5 A in pulsed mode.
The company boosted the maximum pulse current to 5A from the previous IR LEDs with a 3A maximum pulse current. The IR LEDs deliver up to 2.0 W optical output in continuous operation. The six new IRED versions come different beam angles and wavelengths.
The 850 nm SFH 4715AS A01, SFH 4716AS A01 and SFH 4717AS A01 have beam angles of ±45°, ±75°, and ±25° respectively. The 940 nm SFH 4725AS A01, SFH 4726 A01 and SFH 4727AS A01 have beam angles of ±45°, ±75°, and ±25° respectively. The IR LEDs feature a high refractive index silicone lens, giving it an especially low profile so very little light is lost from the sides, and the new LEDs can operate up to a maximum temperature of 125°C.
Secondary Optics Usually Not Needed
The company contends that the high optical pulse outputs and the broad range of integrated lens choices let system designers select the right IRED for almost any application without needing secondary optics. The human eye perceives infrared light sources in a wavelength range of under 900 nm as a red glow. This red glow is largely suppressed at 940 nm, hence its use in car’s interior.
According to Osram Opto Semiconductors, the new IR LEDs like other members of the Oslon Black family, offer excellent performance, long lifetimes and feature superior thermal properties.
“With this product line within the Oslon Black family we can cover all IRED-based lighting applications inside and outside the car. The exemplary performance and compact dimensions of the IREDs give engineers maximum freedom of design, and end customers benefit from a new level of road safety,” said Walter Rothmund, Marketing Manager ELS at Osram Opto Semiconductors.
