Photonic integrated coherent LIDAR with range and rate adaptability for early detection and precise locking on fast moving objects

ongoing

Coverage and situational awareness are maintained today by surveillance systems that use complementary sensing modalities including radars and cameras to detect and lock on objects classified as threats. Although effective in most cases, these systems have the basic constraint that their high-resolution aspect is based on cameras, which are vulnerable to poor lighting and adverse weather conditions, while the radars, which can maintain operation under these conditions, suffer from low imaging resolution. POINTER steps in with the ambition to develop a disruptive LIDAR technology that will combine the high-resolution aspect of cameras with the active and coherent nature of radars enabling high-resolution 4D imaging under any lighting or weather conditions. POINTER will use to this direction 3 main concepts. The first one is the use of the FMCW LIDAR technology for high detection sensitivity and direct velocity sensing of moving objects. The second one is the use of photonic integration for module miniaturization and scanning acceleration. The third one is an adaptive operation concept that can optimize the detection or the locking performance, depending on an AI-enabled analysis of 4D data in real time. Based on these concepts, POINTER will develop a portable LIDAR module with two operation modes and fast transitions (<1 ms) between them. The first mode will offer a range of 1000 m and a FOV of 30o×25o, and will be optimum for early detection, whereas the second one will offer a frame rate of 1000 FPS, an axial resolution of 3 cm and an angular resolution of 0.1o×0.1o, enabling a box of 2o×2o to remain precisely locked on a target that will be moving fast within the initial FOV. POINTER builds on previous efforts, aiming to transfer concepts from civilian to defense applications. The consortium consists of four SMEs and one RO, and has all the credentials to establish after reasonable steps the first supply chain for defense-grade coherent LIDAR products in Europe.