Guided by the increasing demand for online shopping and fast delivery, companies like Amazon and TEMU are driving improvements in the automotive industry, such as autonomous driving for 24-hour logistics. This demand emphasizes the need for advanced sensor technologies, including ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Among the various sensing technologies, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) stands out.
The core of technological advancements in LiDAR could potentially be photonic integrated circuits (PICs). This booming technology offers higher power efficiency, miniaturization through the integration of optical components, robustness, competitive prices, and future scalability.
What are the types of LiDAR Systems?
There are various types of LiDAR systems, here we introduce the main technological principles:
- Time of flight (ToF) LiDAR:
Directly measures the time it takes for a laser pulse to travel to an object and back. This straightforward concept allows for simple implementation, although it can suffer from lower resolution at longer distances due to the finite speed of light and detector response time.
- Phase shift LiDAR:
Distance is measured indirectly by analyzing the phase shift of a modulated continuous wave. This method offers higher accuracy within specific ranges, though it is limited by phase ambiguity, which can restrict the maximum detection range.
- Frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR:
Stands out by measuring the frequency difference between the emitted and received signal. This technique provides both range and velocity information with high resolution, but it requires highly coherent light sources and complex signal processing.
Why use photonics integration?
PICs integrate various optical components onto a single chip, offering multiple benefits that address the limitations of traditional LiDAR systems.
- Power efficiency
One of the primary advantages of PICs is higher power efficiency. Compared to discrete optical components, PICs consume significantly less power, which is crucial for battery-powered applications such as autonomous vehicles.
- Miniaturization
Miniaturization is another significant benefit. By integrating multiple functions into a single chip, the overall size and weight of the LiDAR system are reduced, making it easier to fit into compact spaces.
- Cost-effectiveness
This integration also leads to cost-effectiveness. The mass production of PICs through semiconductor fabrication processes lowers the cost per unit, making advanced LiDAR systems more affordable. Not only the fabrication cost of PIC itself, but the integration helps lower the packaging cost as well.
PICs also enhance performance by improving resolution and accuracy through reduced signal losses and tighter control over optical pathways. Furthermore, the scalability of semiconductor manufacturing processes allows for rapid production scaling, meeting the increasing market demands efficiently.
- Optical phased Arrays
One of the key technologies to promote PICs on LiDAR systems is the implementation of Optical Phased Arrays (OPA) for beam steering. The light is split into multiple paths, each managed by a phase shifter. The constructive and destructive interference of these paths creates a directed beam. By adjusting the phase of light in each element of an optical phased array (OPA), the direction of the emitted beam can be controlled. This enables precise and efficient distance measurements, which are critical for the future of autonomous driving and industrial automation.
The Role of VLC Photonics in Design and Testing
At VLC Photonics, we recognize the critical importance of design and testing in the successful deployment of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) for LiDAR applications. Our support spans the entire development process, ensuring high performance and reliability.
Design: Our expert team collaborates closely with clients to create PICs tailored to their specific needs, optimizing performance and integration.
Testing: Comprehensive testing is vital to validate the design and fabrication quality of PIC components. We use top-tier instrumentation and standardized testing processes to ensure repeatability and quality.
In conclusion, PICs are transforming the LiDAR landscape with enhanced performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. VLC Photonics is dedicated to helping customers bring their PIC ideas to market.
For support with your PIC developments, please contact us at info@vlcphotonics.com
