#United States #San Diego #NEXT Semiconductor #LiDAR Processor #NXLR1

NEXT Semiconductor Unveils Advanced Digital LiDAR Processor

On October 20, 2025, NEXT Semiconductor Technologies made a significant reveal with the launch of their latest innovation in LiDAR technology: the NXLR1 Lidar Processor Unit (LPU). As the market for LiDAR sensors progresses rapidly, driven by applications in AI-enhanced autonomous vehicles, this system-on-chip (SoC) component promises to revolutionize the realm of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and other critical sectors such as industrial robotics and aerial drones.

The NXLR1 aims to penetrate a massive addressable LiDAR market projected to exceed $10 billion by 2030, capturing interest from both commercial and defense sectors, including on-orbit satellites. Marked as the first of its kind, it boasts 12 channels of high-precision, 16-bit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that sample at speeds up to 2 billion samples per second. This advanced architecture allows for intricate full waveform capture (FWC), significantly improving the data processing and perception capabilities of LiDAR systems.

The operation of the NXLR1 is central to LiDAR technology, precisely controlling the initiation of laser pulses, digitizing their full returns, and analyzing the subsequent data. This data is then converted into curated metadata, which is transmitted downstream through high-speed serial links. This integration not only amplifies power efficiency but also cuts costs, with NEXT semiconductor claiming a tenfold improvement in both aspects compared to traditional FPGA-based platforms.

Michael Kappes, President and CTO of NEXT Semiconductor Technologies, emphasized the advantages of full waveform capture: “It offers superior machine vision and can create detailed spatial maps of any environment, allowing vehicles to navigate with enhanced awareness.” This focus on reconfigurability and advanced processing in a FinFET CMOS device positions the NXLR1 as a leading edge solution for the evolving demands of LiDAR technology.

The integration of this processor is particularly relevant in the context of developing autonomous driving technologies, where accurate perception is crucial for safety and reliability. As the automotive industry accelerates its push towards fully autonomous vehicles, innovations like the NXLR1 become essential components, driving forward the capabilities of modern ADAS and ultimately paving the way for safer roadways.

NEXT Semiconductor is committed to high-reliability digital sensors that promote connectivity and autonomy in AI applications. Prospective clients and developers can look forward to the availability of evaluation systems, with engineering samples of the NXLR1 expected to be dispatched in the first quarter of 2026.

As the landscape of autonomous technology progresses, advancements like those at NEXT Semiconductor not only enhance existing capabilities but potentially redefine the future of mobility and automated systems.

For further details or inquiries, you can contact Michael Kappes, CTO of NEXT Semiconductor Technologies, directly at [email protected] or by phone at 858-707-7033.