ams OSRAM: Lighting the Path Forward with Intelligent Sensing

For more than a century, ams OSRAM has stood at the forefront of light and sensor innovation. What began as a pioneering effort in illumination has evolved into a global leadership position at the intersection of optics, sensing, and advanced semiconductor engineering. Today, the company’s technologies make cars safer, improve medical diagnostics, and elevate the convenience of devices people rely on every day.

Behind every one of ams OSRAM’s breakthrough sensors or optical modules lies an equally powerful design and simulation workflow. This is where Cadence plays an essential role.

The world of sensors goes far beyond the visible spectrum. With over 40 years of experience in custom sensing, the ams OSRAM team works at the cutting edge of optical and sensor technology, often in spaces where traditional engineering reaches its limits. Their work enables devices and machines to “see” in ways humans cannot. This includes:

• Color sensors for mobile devices
• Depth sensors for autonomous systems
• High‑accuracy photodetectors for medical imaging

In each case, accuracy and reliability are essential. Modern sensing requires the coexistence of multiple, tightly integrated systems on increasingly compact platforms. A sensor might sit next to a radio system on a flexible PCB, and each element influences the other through electrical interactions.

Modeling these interactions requires advanced EDA tools that support multiphysics, heterogeneous integration, and system‑level analysis. After evaluating build‑versus‑buy options, ams OSRAM chose the Cadence Virtuoso Studio design environment, along with Cadence’s Quantus Extraction Solution and Spectre Simulation Platform, as they offer all the tools needed to model and simulate heterogeneous integrated circuits.

The Quantus SNA and SND workflow, in particular, gave ams OSRAM the ability to model and visualize the RF substrate noise effects and directly connect them to their SPICE netlist. What’s more is that it can manage the full design database, from layout to materials stack and the substrate information, all within the Virtuoso flow.

By combining years of optical leadership with state-of-the-art EDA technology, ams OSRAM is illuminating the path toward a more perceptive future. Learn more about how ams OSRAM is powering the future of optical solutions with Cadence.

“Designed with Cadence” is a series of videos that showcases creative products and technologies that are accelerating industry innovation using Cadence tools and solutions. For more Designed with Cadence videos, check out the Cadence website and YouTube channel.