New generation single-shot LiDARs with the PicoAD monolithic detector

forthcoming

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that measures object distances by analyzing the time-of-flight of photons. LiDARs emit short laser pulses, detect their reflections, and precisely measure travel time. Using a pixel matrix sensor, they can generate detailed 3D images, used for e.g. autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, robotics, and augmented reality. Despite being a rapidly growing emerging market, current LiDAR technology is still far from being fully developed. In particular, next-generation LiDAR sensors must achieve greater background light rejection to operate in complex conditions as well as reduced latency to enable real-time detection capabilities. This project will build upon the patented Picosecond Avalanche Detector (PicoAD), developed within the MONOLITH ERC_AdG project. It will design and validate a proof-of-concept PicoAD version specifically tailored for LiDAR applications. This version will enable fast analog signal filtering at the pixel level and precise time gating to detect only photons from the laser pulse. Thereby it will suppress background light noise far more effectively than current methods and improve reliability in adverse ambient conditions. Unlike conventional LiDAR sensors that rely on multi-shot measurements, our PicoAD will enable single-shot photon detection, dramatically enhancing acquisition speed. This will provide significant advantages for applications requiring real-time decision making such as collision avoidance in autonomous vehicles. Robust circuits will be designed to function across a wide temperature range from -40°C to 125°C. In addition, the high-speed electronics will incorporate multiple-return processing, enabling the detection of multiple reflections from a single laser pulse. This capability will enhance depth perception in complex environments, including scenarios with partially overlapping objects, highly reflective materials, or fog.