The Xiaomi Mi 8 became the first smartphone to feature infrared (IR) vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arraysmade by amsand today, the company has announced a better solution for 3D facial recognition for future Android smartphones.

PMSILIs a Low-Power IR VCSEL Laser EmitterFrom amsWill Enable an Android Device to Implement Face Recognition Technologyfor the First Time

According to the latest press release, amsis a world leader in providing high-performance sensor solutions, with its PMSILbeing a VCSEL flood illuminator system which contains an integrated eye-safety interlock that offers high optical efficiency and is also power efficient which means there is a minimal strain on the phone battery.

The PMSIL integrates a diffuser and emitter die in a 3mm x 3mm x 1mm package, meaning that lots of Android smartphones these days will not find any trouble accommodating a sensor of this size. It offers high spectral stability over temperature, withthe spectral width being less than 1nm. The engineered beam profile can be configured according to the specific smartphone app.

ThePMSILfunctions in the ‘always-on’mode for face recognition and detection in the more advanced Mi8 Explorer Edition. The CS115, which is the IR VCSEL emitter in the structured lighting system, is also provided by ams.This VCSEL technology took 15 years to perfect after repeated optimization of the VCSEL fabrication process technology, packaging, and materials.Apart from the IR laser arrays,amsalso provides TMD27253 ambient light sensorsand proximity detection module used in the Mi8 and Mi8SE models to Xiaomi.

ams General Manager for product lineofVCSEL, Hui Nie said that Xiaomi is a top performer in China and is also making a name in the rest of the world because of its innovative designs and its implementation of advanced technologies inside mobilephones. He further stated that Xiaomi’s designers wanted to make the smallest possible face recognition system for their bezel-less Mi8 Explorer Edition and this made them consider theamsIR VCSEL arrays.

The power efficiency ofamsdevices compelled Xiaomi to pickit over the manufacturer’s competitorsand it is more than possible that future phone OEMs like Huawei are encouraged to pick these components up in the future.