Photonic Multi-beam Beamforming Technology enabling Radar/Lidar Multisensor Fusion platforms for Aerospace and Automated Driving applications

Project Information

PARALIA

Grant agreement ID: 101093013

DOI

10.3030/101093013

EC signature date 21 November 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 March 2027

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 4 995 910,00

EU contribution

€ 4 995 910,00

Coordinated by

ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PARALIA (Photonic Multi-beam Beamforming Technology enabling Radar/Lidar Multisensor Fusion platforms for Aerospace and Automated Driving applications)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

PARALIA will launch an agile, low-cost and energy-efficient multi-sensor platform that will re-architect the photonic-sensor domain to deliver heterogeneous information fusion and enhanced environmental perception by combining a multibeam LiDAR, a multibeam photonic-assisted RADAR and a ML-empowered embedded processing framework within a single synthetic vision package.

To realize its ambitious goals, PARALIA will reap the benefits of the best-in-class material platforms, technologies and architectures, bringing together:
i. the well-established InP-Triplex co-integration platform for combining high-quality lasers, modulators and detectors with ultra-low-loss and low-energy photonic beamformers,
ii. the best-in-class linear optical circuit architectures, transferring their credentials onto the InP-Triplex platform for upgrading photonic beamformers into MBFN layouts and demonstrating a whole new class of 8x64 single-channel and 8-channel WDM 8x8 MBFN PICs suitable for microwave, mmWave and optical sensors
iii. the mature and low cost SiGe platform for realizing its RF and antenna circuitry, targeting both the K and the E-band radar sectors to meet the diverge requirements of automotive and aerospace use cases, and
iv. an embedded ML-empowered data acquisition, processing and interpretation framework capable of optimally fusing the LiDAR and RADAR sensory data. This unique combination of technological innovations will allow PARALIA to unleash a full-fledged portfolio of LiDAR and RADAR sensors fused optimally into a powerful multi-sensor system LiDAR and RADAR sensors.

PARALIA’s vision includes:
• 8-beam K-band and E-band microwave-assisted RADAR prototypes, tailored to the automated driving and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) segments respectively, with both design featuring HFOV 120o and VFOV 120o and achieving power consumption reductions of 1.85x and 2.85x respectively.
• 8λ x 8-beam 2D scanning LiDAR prototype, achieving 64 independent and fully reconfigurable beams while reducing the power consumption by 2.78x.
• ML-augmented multi-sensor fusion complex, that will act as the validation vehicle of PARALIA’s unique multi-domain sensors proposition and will be deployed in automotive and aerospace scenarios.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Summary of PARALIA activities during the 1st Reporting Period (M01-M18)

The main achievements for this reporting period per active work package (excluding WP1) are summarized below:
WP2: System architecture design, specifications, and use-cases
• Definition of PARALIA’s system architecture.
• Definition and refinement of the overall system architecture
• Detailed refinement of module specifications to ensure consistency with the operational use-case scenarios
• Established assembly process flow: A sequential assembly process for the demonstrators was validated, with built-in flexibility to adapt the bonding order of components to minimize mechanical stress and increase yield.
• Qualified materials and processes: Preparatory work was completed, including the qualification of 1 mm ceramic support substrates and the selection of specialized adhesives like OPTOCAST 3553 for optical bonding.
• Upgraded alignment infrastructure: Custom component handling tools were fabricated , and the 6-DOF hexapod coupling station was upgraded with an integrated UV curing system and active alignment capabilities to achieve sub-micron precision.
• Validated thermal management: Comprehensive simulations confirmed a robust thermal management solution, reducing the maximum predicted temperature from a critical 191°C to a safe 37.4°C.
• Finalized high-frequency design: The host PCB design was validated via simulation, confirming excellent signal integrity with a predicted attenuation of only 0.32 dB at 6 GHz. Preliminary PCB layouts for both demonstrators were completed.
• PARALIA’s ML algorithms were benchmarked through simulated and experimental data, confirming the adequacy of the system design and its alignment with the project’s technical objectives and performance targets


WP3: Photonic circuit design, development, and characterization
• Fabrication of InP 1st Gen. actives completed.
• Complete characterization of 1st generation optical radiators.
• Simulation and design of 2nd generation of optical radiators.



WP4: LiDAR and RADAR prototype development and characterization
• Designed and fabricated LiDAR package: The first-generation LiDAR subsystem package is complete, providing a robust, thermo-mechanically stable platform ready for the integration of optical components.
• Integrated key hardware features: The package successfully integrates a custom housing with a W/Cu heat sink, a preliminary host PCB based on high-frequency simulations, and an X-Y-Z microstage system for precision, post-assembly lens alignment.
• Established characterization plan: A multi-stage validation plan has been defined to systematically test performance from the individual PIC level up to the full, functional LiDAR system.
• Prepared for final assembly: The project is positioned to begin the full optical and electrical assembly of the demonstrator immediately upon the availability of the first-generation photonic components.
• All K-band radar boards are fabricated and operational.
• Integration started with the FPGA.
• The 2nd fabrication gen. FR circuitry has been initiated.



WP5: Multi-sensor system prototype development and validation
• Host PCB design for LiDAR systems completed
• Experimental setup for the validation of the Photonic Xbar multi-beam PIC in RADAR/LiDAR FMCW operations
• Development of the experimental setup for the automated driving use-cases.


WP6: Communication, dissemination and Exploitation
• • PARALIA’s presence at prestigious conferences.
• PARALIA’s website is constantly updated.
• The roadmap for PARALIA sensor exploitation has been established.
• PARALIA’s sensor market potential has been analyzed.
• An IPR board has been established to identify potential patent applications.
• A patent on “Optical Beam Forming Device With Crossbar as Beamformer and Its Method of Use” has been already issued by Hellenic Industrial Property Organization, whereas an application on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (no. 18/635,483) has been done.
• A standardization board has been established to identify potential standardization activities.


WP7: Ethics Requirements
• PARALIA’s deliverable D7.1 “OEI - Requirement No. 1” has been submitted.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Τhe project has already demonstrated that the cross-bar based Optical Multibeam BeamForming Network that consitutes the backbone of the RADAR and LiDAR systems, exhibits less losses that its counerparts.

The project's laser components have been already demonstrated with an updated design, which leads to lowered relative intensity noise (RIN). The first generation of this laser with this improved design has already been fabricated, and the RIN measurements have shown values better than -172 dBc/Hz at an output power of 100 mW.

Project logo