company blog about VI4331 Direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) Imaging Sensor - 3DToF Depth Sensor

VI4331 Direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) Imaging Sensor - 3DToF Depth Sensor

Shenzhen Mingjiada Electronics Co., Ltd. — Long-term supply of VI4331 Direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) imaging sensors - 3DToF depth sensors. Product details are as follows:

Core Architecture: Highly Integrated Single-Photon Detection System
The performance foundation of the VI4331 stems from its sophisticated integrated architecture. By seamlessly merging core detection, signal processing, and control modules, it achieves efficient end-to-end coordination across the entire detection-processing-control chain. Its core components are built around single-photon detection technology, forming a complete depth-sensing closed-loop system.

The VI4331 sensor core incorporates a 240×96 single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) pixel array. This high-resolution array is pivotal for achieving precise depth capture. The SPAD device possesses single-photon-level detection sensitivity, enabling precise capture of faint photon signals reflected from laser pulses. This provides the hardware foundation for depth measurement in long-range, low-illumination environments. Working in tandem with the SPAD array is the front-end Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC). This module records the time-of-flight difference between laser pulse emission and reception with high precision, converting physical time information into digital signals to provide core data support for depth computation.

To enable real-time depth processing, the VI4331 integrates a dedicated depth DSP processor. This incorporates CoreVision's proprietary Gen2 DSP depth signal processing module, which rapidly performs complex operations including time-of-flight conversion, noise filtering, and point cloud generation. The output is a 240×96 resolution depth image with sub-millimetre accuracy. This integrated ‘detection-conversion-computation’ on-chip design substantially reduces signal transmission latency, enhancing system responsiveness.

Technical Features: Flexible, Controllable Full-Link Perception Capabilities
The VI4331 undergoes comprehensive optimisation in interface design, illumination control, and programmability, balancing high performance with application flexibility to accommodate diverse system integration requirements.

Diverse Data Interfaces and Formats
The VI4331 sensor features a high-speed MIPI CSI-2 interface as its core data transmission channel. This not only supports 30fps high-frame-rate depth imaging output but also accommodates two pixel data formats: Histogram Mode and DSP Mode. Histogram Mode outputs raw photon flight-time distribution data, providing developers with opportunities for low-level signal optimisation; while DSP mode directly outputs processed, precise depth information, simplifying system integration complexity. This dual-mode design accommodates secondary development requirements in professional scenarios while meeting the efficient integration demands of mass-produced products.

Intelligent Illumination Control and Multi-Channel Expansion

Addressing collaborative control requirements for laser illumination systems, the VI4331 incorporates an integrated illumination controller and four independent laser triggers, supporting addressable VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) configurations across up to four illumination channels. Its photosensitive array facilitates one-dimensional unidirectional scanning, with each laser drive signal corresponding to a quarter of the imaging array. This enables precise synchronisation with the internal sensor's scanning time, enabling efficient solid-state scanning solutions when paired with addressable lasers. This design not only enhances illumination uniformity and ranging stability but also provides flexible light adjustment capabilities, adapting to detection requirements across varying distances and scenarios.

Enhanced Programmability and System Compatibility

The VI4331's integrated microcontroller (MCU) delivers powerful programmability, enabling performance optimisation and functional expansion via software patches. This facilitates adaptation to new application scenarios and algorithm upgrades without hardware modifications. Additionally, the sensor's built-in SPI interface serves dual core functions: directly configuring downstream laser diode drivers (LDD) for precise illumination system control, whilst enabling direct access to calibration data and firmware code within module memory (e.g., EEPROM or Flash). This streamlines system initialisation and calibration procedures, enhancing mass production consistency and maintenance convenience.

Application Scenarios: Empowering Intelligent Perception Upgrades Across Multiple Domains
Leveraging its high performance, compact form factor, and cost-effectiveness, the VI4331 demonstrates broad application potential across diverse sectors, establishing itself as the preferred sensing solution for consumer electronics and industrial environments.

In the field of service robotics, the VI4331 serves as the core component enabling SLAM-based indoor mapping and obstacle avoidance for devices such as robotic vacuum cleaners. Its high-precision point cloud output simultaneously fulfils two requirements: firstly, it provides navigation and positioning frames with up to 16 lines and a range of 10 metres, supporting precise path planning; secondly, it outputs obstacle avoidance recognition frames with high resolution and a wide field of view, accurately detecting minute obstacles. This resolves the issues of navigation stuttering and imprecise obstacle avoidance common in traditional robots.

Within security surveillance and behavioural detection applications, the combination of 30fps high frame rate and wide field of view enables precise tracking of dynamic targets and behavioural analysis. Sub-millimetre accuracy captures minute movement variations, providing reliable data support for intelligent security systems. Furthermore, the VI4331 sensor finds application in consumer-grade all-solid-state 2D/3D dToF laser radars, drone obstacle avoidance, and smart interactive terminals. Its flexible integration capabilities and stable performance drive intelligent upgrades across diverse devices.

Mingjiada Electronics maintains long-term supply of the following chips:
VI4331
SIF7010
OPN8018
OPN8008P
OPN8001C
NP2F3202
NP2F2401
SIF2610
S15743-01WT
OPT8241
SPD1178API
MPQ3425DL
EPC2051
LMG1020YFFR
LMH32401IRGTR
TPC112S8U

For further product information regarding the VI4331 3D ToF sensor or to enquire about samples, please visit Mingjiada Electronics (https://www.integrated-ic.com/) for additional supply details.