For a long time, the mature process and high cost-effectiveness of the ranging solutions based on traditional semiconductor materials have enabled semiconductor laser rangefinder modules to dominate the laser ranging solution market. However, over the past decade, global laser ranging technology has rapidly evolved from semiconductor laser rangefinder modules with a wavelength of 905nm to erbium glass lasers with a wavelength of 1535nm. Exploring the main reasons behind this - in response to longer distances, more complex environments, and higher safety requirements in application scenarios, as well as the rapid development of modern unmanned aerial vehicle detection and strike - semiconductor laser ranging has been unable to meet these demands. In this context, erbium glass llaser rangefinder modules, with their gain medium of rare earth doped glass, precisely fill this gap, providing a new laser ranging solution for system integrators with these requirements. This article will detail the advantages of erbium glass laser ranging technology, core selection parameters, integration considerations, and supplier selection points, providing comprehensive guidance for system integrators.
Semiconductor laser ranging VS erbium glass laser ranging
Traditional semiconductor laser rangefinder modules typically use compound semiconductors such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP) as the core material for the laser emission source. They are small in size, have mature processes, and offer high cost-effectiveness. However, they have significant shortcomings in mid-long-range measurement and adaptation to complex environments. Taking recent international industry practices as an example: in outdoor security, traditional semiconductor modules are prone to strong light interference, affecting the measurement accuracy; in military detection, semiconductor laser rangefinder modules have high requirements for electromagnetic environments, are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, and the aging speed of semiconductors is affected by temperature and humidity, resulting in insufficient stability and reliability; for long-range ranging requirements, semiconductor laser ranging modules have poor environmental adaptability, significant energy attenuation, and are unable to support long-range ranging.
Erbium glass laser rangefinder modules use rare earth doped glass as the gain medium and stabilize the emission wavelength at around 1.5μm through semiconductor pumping, which not only causes less damage to the human eye and is an eye-safe laser, but also has strong resistance to environmental interference. Compared to semiconductor laser rangefinder modules, erbium glass laser rangefinder modules can meet the requirements of long-range, stable, and reliable ranging. Of course, for system integrators, erbium glass laser rangefinder modules are not only limited to this, but also lie in their advantages in the integration solution. Taking a leading European automotive autonomous driving system integrator as an example, integrating erbium glass laser rangefinder modules with millimeter-wave radar as the core component of the L4-level autonomous driving perception system solves the ranging accuracy problem of semiconductor laser ranging modules in rainy and foggy weather.
Core selection parameters and integrator considerations
During the selection process, system integrators need to be aware of a series of challenges for erbium glass laser ranging modules. First, in integration, erbium glass laser ranging modules are slightly larger in size than semiconductor laser ranging modules, and integrators need to pay attention to adjusting the equipment structure; second, in cost, erbium glass lasers have higher processing costs and do not have cost advantages, requiring integrators to increase the integration budget. Of course, as the manufacturers of erbium glass laser ranging modules continuously improve their technologies, their cost and size issues are expected to be gradually resolved. Taking ERDI's MINI-100 erbium glass laser module as an example, its design is compact, with an overall size of only 4.5×6.3×4.37 mm³ and a weight of only 2.5g. Based on this, the ranging module LRF0305/LRF0306 is smaller than traditional erbium glass laser ranging modules and is easier to integrate.
In addition, the "active approach" of system integrators is also particularly important. On one hand, it is suggested that integrators should strengthen joint research and development with manufacturers of optical glass laser ranging modules, based on their own systems and application requirements, to customize appropriate parameters and achieve deep adaptation of integration; on the other hand, they also need to reserve corresponding technical personnel to assist in the integration, compatibility and data fusion issues of the modules.
Selection principles for high-quality suppliers
Selecting the right suppliers is a key step to ensure high-quality systems. It is recommended that system integrators pay attention to:
1: Technical support and after-sales service
High-quality suppliers can provide support such as engineering debugging and after-sales guarantees for integrators, making it easier for integrators to find better module integration.
2: Product testing and certification
Choose ranging modules that have passed authoritative tests and certifications, such as CE, FDA, etc., to make the system integration more reliable.
3: Customer cases and market reputation
Researching typical integration cases and customer evaluations of suppliers can effectively predict the actual budget performance of the module.
As a professional manufacturer of laser ranging modules, ERDI designs and manufactures a full range of laser ranging modules and optoelectronic devices. All products have passed CE, FDA and RoHS standards, undergone vibration and impact tests, and meet MIL-STD standards to ensure stable output. In terms of after-sales service, ERDI offers a 30-day no-reason return and refund policy for damage caused by human factors, a free replacement within one year, and a 2-year maintenance service to ensure that integrators can use our ranging modules with confidence and choose products that are more suitable for their own systems.
Summary
The iterative development of technology has always been the core driving force for the development of industries. The infrared glass laser, as one of the current core distance measurement modules, represents not only the improvement of performance and technological progress, but also the replacement of new social tools. It plays an important role in the integration of industrial fields such as unmanned aircraft and automotive radars. For module manufacturers, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. For system integrators, the correct selection of the module is an important factor for whether the product can gain a foothold and enhance market competitiveness. Scientific selection of the laser distance measurement module not only concerns the measurement accuracy, but also directly affects the system reliability and project success rate. Integrators should combine actual needs, deeply examine product parameters and the strength of the manufacturer, and achieve efficient and precise integration of the system.
Contact ERDI TECH
If you need technical information, specification sheets, prototype tests or customized solutions for the 1064nm laser target designator, please contact the ERDI TECH engineering team.
📧 yeva@erdimail.com (responses within 24 hours)
We will provide the most suitable laser technology solutions for your platform.