As autonomous vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) continue to evolve, LiDAR has become an essential sensing technology for generating high-resolution 3D maps of the environment. To handle the massive data throughput and real-time processing demands of LiDAR, robust embedded platforms are a must. At iWave Global, we specialize in designing scalable, high-performance embedded systems that are tailor-made for LiDAR applications.
LiDAR and Its Processing Demands
LiDAR sensors emit rapid light pulses and measure the time it takes for the reflections to return. This generates a dense point cloud — often millions of data points every second — that the system must process with very low latency.
Key processing challenges include:
- Real-time point cloud generation, segmentation, and classification
- High data rates that require efficient buffering and memory management
- Neural network–based perception and object detection for autonomous decision-making
Technical Challenges for LiDAR Platforms
A competent embedded LiDAR system needs to address:
- High-speed transceivers and ample DSP resources
- Interfacing with multiple sensor types using protocols such as MIPI, JESD204B, LVDS, GigE, CAN, SPI, and I²C
- Scalable AI acceleration with ultra-low latency using deep-learning processing units (DPUs)
- Implementation of both pre- and post-processing for large, high-bandwidth sensor data
- Fast time-to-market for embedded platforms
iWave’s Solution: MPSoC and FPGA-Based Modular Architecture
To address these challenges, iWave employs modular embedded platforms built on FPGA- or MPSoC-based architectures. These give you the flexibility, scalability, and performance critical for LiDAR workloads.
For instance, Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC devices provide:
- A powerful processing system (PS) including quad-core Cortex-A53 for application logic, and Cortex-R5 cores for real-time control
- Dense programmable logic (PL) for acceleration, datapath customization, and high-throughput DSP computation
- Variety of industry-standard I/O interfaces (CAN, GigE, SPI, I²C, MIPI, LVDS, etc.), enabling “any-to-any” sensor connectivity
Accelerating AI for LiDAR
iWave’s embedded platforms support advanced AI stacks like Vitis AI to run neural networks for object detection, segmentation, and classification.
These systems also include hardware codecs (H.264/H.265) and support OpenCV-based image processing, ensuring that high-speed video or image data from LiDAR — or fused sensors — can be efficiently handled.
Safety, Real-Time Control, and Reliability
Safety-critical LiDAR applications benefit from iWave’s use of real-time cores (e.g., Cortex-R5) for system monitoring and fault management.
The embedded architecture also supports layered security, offering robust protection for in-vehicle systems.
In addition, these platforms are designed to maintain high performance while being power-efficient, making them ideal for automotive and mobile deployments.
Advantages of iWave’s MPSoC-Based Platforms for LiDAR
- Scalability: Choose from different MPSoC variants (e.g., Zynq UltraScale+ ZU11, ZU17, ZU19) to match your compute, I/O, and transceiver needs.
- Rapid Deployment: With pre-validated SoMs and boards, engineers can focus on algorithm and software development rather than low-level hardware.
- High Integration: Embedded logic, AI acceleration, safety processors, and real-time control all reside on a single, compact, power-efficient system.
- Future-Proof Design: Modular architecture allows for easy upgrades or scaling as LiDAR technology evolves.
Real-World Example
In a case study, iWave deployed a LiDAR system using the ZU19EG MPSoC SoM. This module supports multiple high-speed transceivers, DSP slices, and programmable logic — making it capable of handling massive LiDAR data throughput while maintaining low-latency object detection and classification.
The flexibility of SoM based design meant the customer could get to market faster, reduce development risk, and focus on their core LiDAR innovation.
Conclusion
LiDAR systems demand embedded platforms that combine raw processing power, low latency, AI capabilities, and real-time control. iWave Global delivers with MPSoC- and FPGA-based solutions built for these intensive workloads, accelerating your development and enabling next-gen autonomous capabilities.
To learn more about how our embedded platforms can power your LiDAR applications, reach out to our team at mktg@iwave-global.com
