Allegro MicroSystems Acquires Lidar/Ladar System Developer Voxtel

Allegro MicroSystems, a developer of sensing and semiconductor technology, has acquired Voxtel Inc. Voxtel, located in Beaverton, Ore., specializes in research and delivery of electro-optical devices and laser detection and radar (ladar) systems. The company develops eye-safe indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photodetectors, single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) imagers, ladar photoreceivers, and pulsed 1534-nm lasers, for military, automotive, space, and other applications.

According to Allegro CEO Ravi Vig, the acquisition will enhance Voxtel’s existing lidar portfolio for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) applications. The move will increase the safety, cost effectiveness, and potential for feature adoptability in cars of the future, Vig said.

Allegro’s photonics portfolio includes devices made in silicon and InGaAs, providing components for both eye-safe, long-range, 1D or 2D scanned front-facing lidar, and side- or rear-facing flash lidar.