Digging into the datasheets to compare different lidar sensors can be frustrating and confusing. How do you get an apples-to-apples comparison? What tradeoffs exist between specs? Is everything being measured the same way?

1. R E L I A B I L I T Y
A N D
R U G G E D N E S S
O F L I D A R
S E N S O R S
P A R T 3
U N D E R S T A N D I N G
L I D A R
P E R F O R M A N C E

2. W H A T I S M E A N T B Y R E L I A B I L I T Y A N D
R U G G E D N E S S ?
❖Reliability:
− Does the sensor still operate AFTER experiencing physical or environmental shocks
and whether the performance of the sensor is sustained after these adverse
scenarios?
❖Ruggedness:
− Does the sensor operate at a high level of performance WHILE experiencing tough
conditions?

3. S P I N N I N G V S S O L I D - S T A T E S E N S O R S
Solid-state is more reliable in theory, mechanical sensors are more reliable in
practice today
Mechanical Solid-state
In THEORY, mechanical components
may degrade over long periods of time
because of friction. In PRACTICE, the
mature reliable technology of these
sensors was tested for shock, vibration
and >30,000 hours of operation.
In THEORY, lack of moving parts allows
for near-indefinite operation. In
PRACTICE, these are immature
products, especially MEMS, that is just
beginning to address reliability needs.

4. T H E S TA N D A R D S : I E C 6 0 0 6 8
❖International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) publishes International Standards and
manages conformity assessment systems for electric and electronic products, systems
and services.
❖ IEC 60068 is an international standard for environmental testing of electrotechnical
devices, and is the relevant IEC standard for many lidar sensors reliability tests

5. I N G R E S S P R O T E C T I O N O V E R V I E W
❖ The IP ratings system provides customers guidance on a product’s resistance to ingress from particles
and water.
❖IP ratings come in two digits:
− First digit stands for dust and goes from 1 till 6 (6 is the most resistant)
− Second digit stands for water and goes from 1 till 9 (9 is the most resistant)
❖Generally valid for lidar sensors:
− Spinning sensors rated between IP67 and IP69
− Solid-state sensors rated between IP65 and IP67

6. V I B R AT I O N T E S T- I E C 6 0 0 6 8 - 2 - 6 4
❖To ensure no degradation in sensor performance during normal operation by
simulating common vibration situations that may occur during transportation,
installation, and operation.
❖Method: Amplitude: 3 G-rms; Shape: 10 – 1000 Hz;Mounting: sprung
masses; Direction: 3 axes; Duration: 8 hours/axis; T=25º C
❖Result: PASSED
OS1 sensors running on a vibration plate at 3G rms

7. V I B R A T I O N W I T H T H E R M A L C Y C L I N G -
I E C 6 0 0 6 8 - 2 - 6 4
❖To ensure no degradation in sensor performance from thermal cycles
combined with vibration cycles to simulate operating conditions on vehicles.
❖Method: Amplitude: 2 G-rms; Shape: 10 - 1000Hz;Mounting: sprung masses;
Direction: 3 axes; Duration: 27 hours/axis; T= -20º to 50ºC
❖Result: PASSED

8. M E C H A N I C A L S H O C K T E S T- I E C
6 0 0 6 8 - 2 - 2 7 & I E C 6 0 0 6 8 - 2 - 2 9
❖To evaluate the lidar sensor’s structural integrity and
performance following mechanical shocks caused by common
events like potholes, closure slams and collisions.
❖Method:
− POTHOLE: Amplitude: 25 g; Shape: 10ms half-sine; 400
shocks x 6 directions; T=25°C
− CLOSURE SLAM: Amplitude: 40 g; Shape: 6ms half-sine;
1.500 shocks x 6 directions; T=25°C
− COLLISION: Amplitude: 100 g; Shape: 11ms half-sine; 3
shocks x 6 directions; T=25°C
❖Result: PASSED

9. A I R -T O - A I R T H E R M A L S H O C K - I E C 6 0 0 6 8 -
2 - 1 4 C O M B I N E D W I T H I S O 1 6 7 5 0 - 4
❖To ensure the sensor can withstand rapid changes in air temperature and still
operate normally.
❖Method: Temperature range: -40°C to +85°C; Ramp: 19°C/minute; Duration:
339 cycles; Mode: Non-operating
❖Result: PASSED

10. R U G G E D I Z E D D E S I G N
Contactless Slip Ring:
Patented contactless slip ring
technology for dramatically
extended sensor lifetime
Permanent Seal:
Every sensor has a permanent seal to
prevent against all particle ingress.
The window must be sawed in order
to open the sensor
Anodized Aluminium:
Corrosion-resistant housing to
withstand salt water, power
washing, and industrial
Scratch-resistant coating:
Window treated with
scratch resistant coating
to withstand stone chip
and salt abrasion
Space-style pluggable connector:
IP68, IP69K; 1Gb Ethernet bayonet-
style connection

11. E V O L U T I O N O F O U S T E R L I D A R S E N S O R S
❖The visual demonstrates an experiment using three OS1 sensors with different
resolutions. The highest resolution is demonstrated in the top row as one can see,
it allows to clearly see the object, but most importantly when it comes to
classifying a person, at least 4 horizontal lines needed, the OS1-128 is able to
place 4 lines at the distance of 60 meters, whereas with OS1-32 we are looking at
the distance of 20 meters.