LS Lidar CX126S3 126 Channel Long Range 3D LiDAR

Compact 126 Channel LiDAR for Real Time 3D Perception

The LS Lidar CX126S3 is a hybrid solid-state 3D LiDAR developed for autonomous vehicles, robotics, industrial machinery and other applications that require detailed real-time information about the surrounding environment. Its 126 laser channels create multiple vertical measurement layers across a wide forward-facing field of view, allowing software to determine the distance, shape and position of objects in three dimensions.

Compared with a traditional rotating 360° LiDAR, the CX126S3 concentrates its measurements into the area in front of the sensor. This makes it particularly suitable for integration into vehicles, robots and machines where forward perception, obstacle detection and environmental awareness are the main requirements.

Long Range Detection Including Dark Targets

The CX126S3 provides a maximum detection distance of up to 200 metres and is specified for approximately 160 metres at 10% target reflectivity. The 10% reflectivity figure is particularly useful when comparing LiDAR sensors because dark surfaces such as black vehicles, tyres and some construction materials return less laser energy than brighter objects.

In practical use, this long-range capability gives an autonomous or machine-control system more distance over which to identify surrounding objects and calculate their location. Actual detection distance will still depend on target reflectivity, weather, installation and environmental conditions.

126 Channels for Detailed 3D Coverage

The CX126S3 uses 126 measurement channels distributed across a 25° vertical field of view. These vertical layers allow the sensor to measure objects at different heights rather than only across a single horizontal plane.

This is useful when detecting vehicles, pedestrians, machinery, kerbs, structures and other objects with three-dimensional shape. For robotics and autonomous systems, the additional vertical information can help software distinguish the road or ground surface from obstacles and surrounding infrastructure.

120 Degree Horizontal Field of View

A 120° horizontal field of view gives the CX126S3 broad forward coverage. This allows one sensor to observe a large area in front of a vehicle or machine without requiring full mechanical rotation.

The wide viewing angle is particularly practical for front-mounted perception systems, mobile robots and industrial vehicles where obstacles can approach from different directions. It can also reduce the number of sensors required to cover the main operating area, depending on the geometry of the installation.

Up to 840000 Points Per Second

The CX126S3 produces up to 840,000 measurement points per second. These points form a dense 3D representation of the sensor’s surroundings that can be processed by autonomous driving, robotics or industrial perception software.

A high point rate helps preserve object shape and environmental detail as the vehicle or machine moves. This is useful for applications such as obstacle recognition, free-space detection, localisation and environmental modelling where software needs more information than a simple distance measurement can provide.

≤3 cm Range Precision

The CX126S3 is specified with ≤3 cm range precision. This provides consistent distance measurements for locating objects and surfaces within the LiDAR point cloud.

For an autonomous machine or robot, consistent ranging data helps perception software determine where an obstacle is located relative to the sensor. Final system accuracy will also depend on sensor calibration, mounting, vehicle movement and any GNSS, IMU or camera data used alongside the LiDAR.

Adjustable Scanning Frequency

The CX126S3 supports frame rates of 5, 10 and 20 Hz. This gives integrators the flexibility to select an update rate appropriate for the movement speed and processing capacity of the system.

At higher update rates, the perception system receives more frequent information about moving objects and changes in the environment. Lower frame rates may be appropriate where movement is slower or where reducing processing load is more important.

Fine Angular Resolution

Horizontal angular resolution can be configured at approximately 0.09°, 0.18° or 0.36°, while vertical resolution is specified at approximately 0.2°. Finer angular resolution means measurements are positioned closer together, allowing smaller details and object boundaries to be represented more clearly in the point cloud.

This makes the CX126S3 suitable not only for basic obstacle detection but also for perception applications that benefit from detailed object contours and consistent spatial coverage.

Compact and Lightweight Vehicle Integration

At approximately 110 × 100.4 × 45 mm and only 635 g, the CX126S3 is significantly smaller than many traditional multi-channel mechanical LiDAR sensors. Its compact housing makes it easier to install in a vehicle body, front bumper, robot or custom sensor enclosure.

Low weight is also useful on mobile platforms where payload matters. It can simplify mounting and reduce the mechanical load placed on robotic, vehicle or other moving systems.

Low Power Consumption

The CX126S3 operates from 9–16 VDC and has a specified power consumption of approximately 13.5 W. This relatively low power requirement is useful for battery-powered robots and vehicle installations where several cameras, computers and positioning sensors may already be drawing power from the same electrical system.

Lower power consumption also reduces the amount of heat that needs to be managed inside a compact sensor installation.

Automotive Ethernet Connectivity

Point-cloud data is transmitted through Automotive Ethernet, allowing the CX126S3 to connect to an embedded computer or automotive perception controller. The high-speed interface is suitable for transferring the sensor’s dense real-time point-cloud stream.

For complete autonomous or robotic systems, the LiDAR data can be combined with cameras, GNSS, IMUs and other sensors. Sensor fusion software can then use the strengths of each sensor to build a more complete representation of the operating environment.

Designed for Demanding Mobile Applications

The CX126S3 carries an IP6K9K protection rating and is specified for operation from -40°C to +85°C. LS Lidar also publishes vibration and shock specifications intended for integration into moving equipment and vehicles.

These characteristics make the sensor suitable for installations where vibration, dust, water and large temperature changes need to be considered. As with any LiDAR installation, the final mounting position, cable routing and sensor window should be designed to keep the optical surface clear and correctly aligned.

Typical Applications

• Autonomous vehicles and ADAS development
• Autonomous mobile robots and industrial robots
• Construction and industrial machine perception
• Obstacle and collision avoidance systems
• Environmental perception and object detection
• Research and autonomous platform development
• Multi-sensor systems using LiDAR cameras GNSS and IMU data

CX126S3 Compared with Single Channel LiDAR

A single-channel LiDAR measures objects along one scanning plane and can be an efficient solution for simple obstacle detection or 2D mapping. The CX126S3 adds 126 measurement channels across a 25° vertical viewing area, allowing it to capture the three-dimensional shape and height of surrounding objects.

This makes the CX126S3 more suitable when software needs to distinguish different parts of a scene, detect objects at varying heights or create a detailed 3D perception model. Applications that only require a simple horizontal distance profile may not need the additional data produced by a multi-channel sensor.

Buying the LS Lidar CX126S3 from Global GPS Systems

Global GPS Systems supplies professional LiDAR, GNSS and positioning equipment for autonomous systems, robotics, construction, surveying and industrial applications. Our team can help evaluate whether the CX126S3 provides the right balance of detection range, field of view, point density and integration requirements for your project.

When a LiDAR is being combined with GNSS, an IMU, cameras or an embedded processing computer, the complete system architecture should be considered before selecting individual components. Global GPS Systems can assist with choosing compatible positioning and perception equipment for the intended workflow.