SiLC partners with Cloud Light to manufacture its Eyeonic vision sensors

08 Jun 2022

Partnership extends SiLC’s manufacturing range, enables early sample shipments, and 2022 production ramp.

Silicon photonics systems developer SiLC Technologies has announced a manufacturing partnership with Cloud Light Technology, a manufacturer of advanced optical modules for automotive and data center interconnect applications.

Cloud Light will deliver volume manufacturing of SiLC’s Eyeonic vision sensors, which offer lidar capabilities and provide “accurate depth, instantaneous velocity, and dual-polarization intensity”, SiLC states.

Launched at the end of 2021, SiLC’s Eyeonic Vision Sensor is an FMCW lidar transceiver. At its heart is SiLC’s silicon photonic chip, which integrates FMCW LiDAR functionality into a single, tiny chip. SiLC says the chip is “the only readily-integratable solution for manufacturers building the next generation of autonomous vehicles, security solutions and industrial robots.”

‘Complementary’

The press release describing the new partnership stated, “Cloud Light’s experience in optical module design, high volume precision assembly, testing, and reliability engineering complement and complete SiLC’s manufacturing ecosystem, which includes its proprietary and mature chip fabrication process with another major ecosystem partner in Asia. Early sample shipments and the transition to volume production are expected this year.”

Dr. Mehdi Asghari, SiLC’s CEO and founder, commented, “To integrate all of the functionalities needed for a coherent lidar [system] into a single photonic chip is a complex art that takes many years to master. 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.”

Dennis Tong, CEO and founder of Cloud Light, said, “Cloud Light provides design capabilities and manufacturing excellence for advanced optical modules. 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.”