Application Specific ICs:
Closing the Gap between Research and Industry

Workshop on Design, Production and Industrialization of ASICs

 
Presentation [M. Lehmann]: "3D-Time-of-Flight, the long Way from Idea to Success"
 
Abstract: Capturing a scene in 3D is an emerging demand in several fields of computer vision, e.g. for guiding autonomous vehicles or for gesture recognition in games. In this context, 3D Time-of-Flight cameras are an attractive approach to capture objects directly with their real-world coordinates. After explaining the measurement principle, the presentation shows the long way from the very first patent made in the field of 3D imaging by PSI employees through the development phase of prototype cameras at CSEM down to the integration and commercialization of state-of-the-art SR4000 3D-cameras by MESA Imaging. It is pointed out that the support from different organizations like KTI and from companies that belief in new technologies is important for the development of a new product. The history of the spin-off company MESA Imaging, which was founded after the first cameras proved to have the capability to be successful in the market, is sketched by the presentation as well.
 
Biography: Born in 1974, he made the usual way through all the school classes. After finishing regular school, he started an apprenticeship as electronic technician at Müller Martini AG, a company active in the graphical industry, e.g. doing the paper handling for newspapers. From 1995 to 1999 he studied at the HTL Brugg-Windisch, now known as University of Applied Science FHNW. Just after the study, he went to Germany and worked for the Institute for Microelectronics in Stuttgart, where he came first into contact with image sensors as this institute is active in the field of high-dynamic range sensors. After 3 years, in 2001, he came back to Switzerland and started at Centre Suisse d’Electronic et Microtechnique CSEM in Zurich. Here a main project was the development of the 3D-Time-of-Flight cameras described in the presentation, where he was involved in the chip design. 5 years later, in June 2006, MESA Imaging AG was spun-out of these activities, where he is still working as head of the chip design group.
 

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